Widnes Tennis Academy had a fantastic Night at the Cheshire Tennis Presentation Night at the Park Royal International Hotel on October 16.

Tony Green, the Head Coach at Widnes was awarded Performance Coach of the year 2012. Tony came to Widnes in 2010 and inherited a programme in its infancy with only around 30 participants.

Over the last 2.5 years he has developed the programme and it now has around 200 players, many playing several times a week. Tony has a good track record in sending players to county talent ID sessions.

Several of his players have progressed to regional ID and Ella Walker recently played in Tony is a mini-tennis performance specialist. He currently has 10 individual pupils, 7 of whom appear in the top 10 of the Cheshire mini-tennis leaderboards; 5 in the regional top 10. At the recent county closed tournament his players won the girls events at mini-red and mini-orange the Nationals.

levels. Alice Maxwell-Reid won the mini-red, Under 8 event and Ella Walker the Under 9s. Both girls attended the awards night, along with all other county champions. Amy Redman was part of the Cheshire Team that were Highly Commended for winning their Division in the 12 Counties competition. Tony prides himself in being the ‘meanest tennis coach in the country.’ Despite this, his pupils love being coached by him and he really knows how to get the best out each one of them. He is the ultimate tennis professional.

On his recent holiday to the USA he spent the first part at a Tennis Conference followed by time working with wheelchair tennis players. He says, ‘You’re never too old to learn,’ and practices what he preaches! John Woodroofe was awarded Honorary County Colours for services to tennis. John is President of Widnes Tennis Academy (Home of Lane Tennis Club) and has recently retired from many years of service to Cheshire LTA and the Warrington Tennis League. He was instrumental in the development of the Indoor Tennis Facility on Highfield Road, Widnes which opened in 2007.

Anyone interested in playing tennis would be welcome to book a free coaching taster session by calling the Academy on 0151-257-8317. Sessions are available all year round and take place on the indoor courts. Sessions are available to anyone aged 3 or older!