Stonyhurst College claim victory at tennis tournament

Senior tennis teams at Stonyhurst, in the Ribble Valley, were named the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) north of England champions at a fiercely contested tournament.

This is following their victories in the knockout stages at the north west events in February.

Just four schools qualified from the north of England and all of Scotland, for the championship, which took place on Thursday March 16 at the Sunderland Tennis Centre.

Stonyhurst was the only school to have both a boys and girls team qualify for the notable event, with both teams securing the north of England titles.

Stonyhurst’s year 11 to 13 girls team triumphed over George Heriot’s Edinburgh, in the semi-final, with a score of 3-3 following the singles and doubles matches.

The girls’ final was against 2022 title winners, St Peter’s York, where the match again went to 3-3.

Two girls in the team, Hima and Zara, displayed impressive prowess, producing a stunning shoot out tie-break to win 10-5.

The boys team took on one of their rivals, Altrincham Grammar School for Boys in the semi-final, winning 10-1.

The boys final was against High Storrs School where the team won 4-2 following a superb doubles match from players Alberto and Nico.

Stonyhurst headmaster, John Browne, said: “It is an amazing achievement. Bravo to both teams and to our dedicated tennis academy coaches for preparing our young people to this level and giving them such confidence and ambition.”

Tennis is going from strength to strength at the co-educational school.

Earlier this year, Stonyhurst’s junior tennis team was named the LTA Youth School’s (division two) north regional tennis champions.

The Stonyhurst tennis academy launched in August 2018 and is now into its third full year, excluding the Covid period, and is continuing to flourish.

The school is continuing to develop a cohort of national and regional players, supported by former professional, David Shaw, as director of tennis, and his team of coaches, whilst Stonyhurst’s excellent facilities, including a tennis dome with two tennis courts, allow for all-year-round training.

Stonyhurst's senior male team (Image: Marketing Lancashire/Stonyhurst)

This summer, Stonyhurst is set to launch its first residential and day ‘Summer Festival of Sport’ programmes allowing children to take part in a variety of sports camps, tennis, rugby and netball, for children aged eight to 18 years.

The tennis camps will have a strong focus on skill development led by the tennis academy coaches who will draw on years of experience to challenge and stretch players to realise their potential.