Rising Yarmouth star in LTA eye
GREAT Yarmouth junior tennis player Katherine Barnes was put through her paces this week after taking part in the Lawn Tennis Association's (LTA) national Talent ID Finals.
GREAT Yarmouth junior tennis player Katherine Barnes was put through her paces this week after taking part in the Lawn Tennis Association's (LTA) national Talent ID Finals.
The eight-year-old was one of 113 youngsters from across the south-east, south-west and east of England invited to the session at the National Tennis Centre in London after she progressed through county and regional Talent ID days to make the final week.
Katherine showed off her skills in front of the LTA talent ID team who were aiming to spot future performance players, who even at such an early age were displaying the right attributes that could enable them to make a real impact on the game.
Katherine, said: “I was very excited when I found out that I had been selected for the Talent ID Finals in London.
“I love playing tennis and was really pleased to be taking part with some of the best players in the country. It's hard work and you do lots of different exercises and tests on the court, but it's all good fun.”
The day was overseen by Andrew Lewandowski, head of talent management at the LTA, who is excited by the talent that is being developed within British tennis.
Most Read
- 1 Hero boxer rescues man who plunged into river to save dog
- 2 Green light for new Sainsbury's store on 850-home estate
- 3 Vets expanding to garage site amid surge in new animal owners
- 4 Work begins on £3m Great Yarmouth council flats development
- 5 Your chance to run a takeaway pitch on Gorleston seafront
- 6 Great Yarmouth Pride march postponed amid council criticism
- 7 Drone shots show British warship anchored off Yarmouth ahead of Jubilee
- 8 5 of the best Chinese restaurants with delivery in Great Yarmouth
- 9 Norfolk police officer goes on the run to win £100,000 on Hunted
- 10 Man stopped by police while driving day after admitting he had no licence
He said: “It was fantastic to see so many enthusiastic and talented players give it their all at the Talent ID Finals which is central to our vision for British Tennis.
“Katherine has performed really well and shown lots of ability across a number of different tasks testing qualities including athletic ability, co-ordination, speed and agility and a real natural talent and love for the sport.
“With the level of LTA support available for junior players and the Talent ID network that simply didn't exist five years ago, there has never been a better time for the LTA to identify and help develop talented players.”
Steven Martens, LTA player director, added: “Identifying talent from an early age is crucial to get them fully engaged in the sport and we're confident that these young players will demonstrate that we have a wealth of talent coming through in the junior ranks.
“Tennis is a sport where skills need to be developed step by step and we hope that each of these players will go on to reach their full potential.”
