INVOLVING more than 260 matches for youngsters from local clubs, the Vale Tennis Academy’s Winter League competition has been a tremendous success.

To celebrate the end of the event, a presentation night was hosted by the Penarth Lawn Tennis Club and was attended by players and parents representing Barry Athletic and Llantrisant Tennis Clubs and Dinas Powys, Penarth and Windsor Lawn Tennis Clubs.

The league was set up by VTA head coach Rob Cunningham to give players the opportunity to represent their club during the winter months in local competition. He said: “It has been so fantastic to see all the support and enthusiasm for the league. The clubs, players, parents and local businesses have all been so receptive to this new league and their positivity has helped to make it the highlight of the winter season for so many people.”

Rob, or 'Rob The Coach' as he is known, added: “Without adequate local competition, it is so difficult for a developing player to gain the necessary experience to start competing at a higher level. The winter league provided over 260 matches for our youngsters and has filled a void in the competition calendar that has allowed players to compete at an appropriate level without the worry that bad weather would prevent play.”

The presentations opened with a thank you to sponsors Marco’s Café, Barry Island, ACJ Properties, Penarth, and the Waterloo Tea Rooms, Penarth, for providing trophies and medals.

Top placings were:

Red 8&U winners, Windsor; runners-up, Llantrisant.

Orange 9&U winners, Windsor; runners-up, Penarth.

Green 10&U winners, Dinas Powys; runners-up, Llantrisant.

Yellow 16&U winners, aptly named "The Winners" (Penarth); runners-up, “ADITS - Advanced Development In Tennis Squad" - Penarth.

The academy will be running a summer match play tennis circuit around the clubs in the Vale of Glamorgan. These will be open to players from South Wales and beyond to compete to become top of the circuit leader board. The highlight of the circuit will be the Penarth Open from August 4-8. Full details of all the academy’s competitions and their coaching programmes can be found via www.valetennisacademy.co.uk or call 07909 987359.