Dedicated volunteers from around Shropshire stepped into the spotlight as the county winners of the British Tennis Awards were unveiled. Awards were presented in 10 different categories at the popular annual Tennis Shropshire event hosted by the Shrewsbury Club. Winners of the county awards will now go forward to the regional awards for the Midlands and, potentially, the national awards, with the overall winners to be announced at Wimbledon next summer.
Now into its fourth year, the awards, an initiative of the Lawn Tennis Association, Tennis Foundation and 40 county/national tennis associations, highlight the sport’s unsung heroes.
It was a fabulous night for Broseley Tennis Club as Pat Clarke was named Volunteer of the Year and Ian Gillespie, who divides his time between Shifnal and now Broseley, was awarded Coach of the Year. As Pat remarks, “New courts and a new coach mean a new era for Broseley Tennis Club!”
Lilleshall Village was Club of the Year, and Alex Cleland of Shifnal, a referee at the age of 21 and chair umpire at 24, was selected as Official of the Year. The youngest person to officiate at Wimbledon in the modern era, Alex has been asked to join the LTA chair umpire development group.
Pictured:Ian Gillespie and Pat Clarke of Broseley with their award certificates
