Westside Lawn Tennis qualify for European Senior Championships
Westside Lawn Tennis Club will be on the trail of international glory later this month after qualifying for the prestigious European Senior Club Tennis Championships.
The Wimbledon club’s men’s over-35 team will face opponents from all over Europe at the event, which takes place at La Manga Club in Murcia, Spain, from September 25 until October 6.
Founded in 1983, the championships are open to men and women over the age of 35 and feature the rare chance for the continent’s best club players to compete in an international team competition across various age categories.
Past winners include entrants from Germany, Portugal , Holland, France, England, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Belgium and Czech Republic and the competition for honours looks likely to be just as fierce this year.
Each country can be represented by a maximum of two clubs at La Manga Club in each category, with teams comprising between four to seven players for men’s categories and two to five for women.
This year’s English entry is particularly strong with all parts of the country represented including other teams from Nottingham, Newcastle, Gloucester, Warwick, Leeds, Essex and Lancashire.
For the first time in the history of the championship, all 11 age sections will be hosted at one venue, with the Seniors categories – aged 35 and upwards – taking place from September 25-29, with men’s age groups ranging from 35-plus to over-55s and women’s from 35-plus to over 50.
The spotlight will then fall on the Super Seniors categories for the remainder of the championship, with players between the ages of 60-plus to over 70 for men and 60-plus to 65-plus for women featuring.
Opened in 1972, La Manga Club is regarded as one of the top sporting destinations in Europe and, boasting a 28-court tennis centre, it has regularly hosted top names from the world of tennis during that time.
British stars Andy Murray, Tim Henman, Laura Robson and Elena Baltacha have all used the resort as a regular winter training base while the award-winning venue has also previously hosted Fed and Davis Cup matches.
La Manga Club boasts unrivalled facilities as a sport and leisure venue including three championship golf courses and a 2,000sqm spa and fitness centre. It also offers the choice of a five-star hotel, four-star serviced apartments and townhouses, more than 20 bars and restaurants and great fun for families.
June 18, 2012
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