Press Office
Tennis Idol Comes To Norfolk
Date: 9th June 2006
Search is on for young tennis talent
New Norfolk Health & Racquets Club sets the stage for youth tennis competition
Wimbledon quarter finalist, Chris “Simon Cowell” Bailey leads judging panel
Norwich is preparing to host its very own tennis competition for young Wimbledon-wannabees. The event will take place on 29th July at the new £12m Norfolk Health and Racquets club at Drayton High Road, which opens on 1st July.
Norwich-based former Wimbledon quarter finalist and tennis commentator, Chris Bailey will head the judging panel. The winner will receive family membership to the club for year, half an hour’s one-to-one coaching with Chris Bailey, the Tennis Idol trophy and the opportunity to defend their title in 2007’s Tennis Idol.
They will also secure a place in the Esporta Racquets Academy, a nationwide initiative dedicated to nurturing Britain's tennis stars of the future. Tim Henman is official patron of the Tennis First Charitable Trust which supports the Academy.
Stuart Silvester, who will head up the Academy at the club and Gary Stewart, who runs it nationally, will also be on the judging panel. Chris Bailey will be on hand to offer tips and advice to participants looking to improve their game.
Gary Stewart said: “I think Norfolk has huge potential as a source of top young tennis talent and I am convinced that the new Norfolk club will become one of the crown jewels in the network of 19 clubs where the Esporta Racquets Academy operates.
“The Norfolk Health & Racquets club has a six court indoor tennis complex including two US Open standard courts, as well as four outdoor courts. It will become one of the primary centres for Esporta’s Racquets Academy which currently has over 3,500 members.
“Tennis Idol is open to anyone up to the age of 16 who wants to show off their tennis talent, improve their game and have some fun in the process.”
To apply for a place, please call 01603 615584. Places are limited so Wimbledon-wannabees are advised to act quickly to avoid disappointment!
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Notes to editors
In addition to the racquets centre, the club will also boast an indoor 25m swimming pool and a 20m heated outdoor pool. There will also be a children’s pool, a spa with sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, two aerobic studios, a spinning studio and of course a large gym equipped with the very latest cardio-vascular and resistance technology. Other facilities include a brasserie, a café terrace and ample car parking.
For more information please contact:
Nina Wainwright
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
01604 232223