BARRY Community Tennis Club recently hosted its mini tennis club championships and witnessed a feast of tennis from children from ages 5-11years old, many of whom enjoyed their first taste of formal competition.

Older or more experienced children competed with orange balls (50% compression) on a court around 2/3 of a full size court, and enjoyed both singles and doubles matches, while younger children competed in both singles and doubles matches on mini tennis courts with red balls (25% compression).

Families observed from the surrounding grassy banks which have become affectionately known as “Penny’s Patch”, named after club coach Penny Mickelsen in a nod to Wimbledon’s famous Henman’s Hill.

It was a lovely day all round, and the weather contributed to a real picnic-in-the-park atmosphere.

Winners were:

11u Girls singles: Grace Mickelsen (age 10, Barry Island Primary School)

11u Boys singles: Sam Jones (age 9, Gwenfo Primary School)

11u doubles: Grace Mickelsen (age 10, Barry Island Primary School) & Poppy Williams (age 11, St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School

8u Girls singles: Julia Papierowska (age 8, St Helen’s Catholic Primary School)

8u Boys singles: Ethan Ashburner (age 7, Romilly Primary School)

8u Girls doubles: Julia Papierowska (age 8, St Helen’s Catholic Primary School) & Marta Szymanowicz (age 8, St Helen’s Catholic Primary School)

8u Boys doubles: Ethan Ashburner (age 7, Romilly Primary School) & Osian Cane (age 7, Ysgol Gwaun y Nant)

All players were presented with medals in recognition of their great sportsmanship, and trophies will be presented to the winners at the club presentation evening on Friday 14th September, where winners of the Junior and Adult club championships will also be recognised.