We are delighted to announce that between Saturday 12 and Saturday 19 July 2014, Queenswood School is hosting an LTA-International Tennis Tournament for Under 18s and Under 14s in partnership with Global Tennis Connections (GTC). We hope that several of our own Queenswood Tennis Scholars will be competing. Entrance is free, and all pupils, parents, families and friends of the school are very welcome to attend on any of the days.

The Tournament will consist of four junior groups at Under 18 and Under 14 (boys and girls), with 256 players competing to win the Elena Baltacha Cup for Under 18s Girls and the Pauline Edgar Cup for Under 14 Girls. The boys compete for the Dill Charles Cup (U14) and the K J Pittalis Cup (U18). The Pauline Edgar Cup has been introduced by GTC this year and symbolises the long and proud history of Queenswood tennis.

Finals Day is on Saturday 19 July, and you will have an opportunity to see an exhibition match between two well-known tennis players – details are currently being organised and will be announced shortly. We will also be participating in the ‘Rally for Bally’, raising funds for Cancer Research in memory of former British No.1 Elena Baltacha who recently passed away at the age of just 30. For more information visit www.justgiving.com/RallyForBally.

The tournaments are part of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Tennis Europe (TE) Nike Junior Internationals for Under 18s and Under 14s respectively. The Tournament is being run by Global Tennis Connections (GTC) who provide tennis coaching, sports management and education opportunities for individuals wishing to have an excellent education alongside excellent tennis coaching. GTC will also provide free taster sessions throughout the Tournament. Visit www.globaltennisconnections.com for more details.

At a similar tournament held at Queenswood in the early 1990s, a young Roger Federer was a competitor – indeed a pennant bearing his signature is on display in the Pavilion.  Who knows what stars of the future will be in action on our courts this year? We do hope that you will be able to join us.