On Monday of this week Suffolk LTA organised the second Ladies Charity Tennis event this year to raise monies for EACH (East Anglia’s Children Hospices), writes Mike Whatling

The event was held at Ipswich Sports Club and consisted of 24 pairs of ladies.

Coes of Ipswich very kindly provided the prizes for the winning teams and Ipswich Sports Club gave free use of the tennis courts.

The Ladies teams were from ten clubs from within the County.

These events, while their main purpose is to raise funds for an excellent cause, are still competitive with some great matches even with a bespoke scoring system to help with the timing with so matches having to be played.

After the morning session it came down to four pairs of teams to play in the semi-finals and final in the afternoon session.

The event was won by a combined Sproughton/Stowmarket team of Jill Crown and Linda Whipp with the Roundwood Tennis Club team consisting of Zelma Green and Tracy Ward being the runners-up.

It is anticipated that approx. £700 was raised towards the EACH charity.

Over the Christmas holiday period the Ipswich Sports Club Winter Open Indoor Seniors Tournament will be taking place from Wednesday, December 27 until Saturday, December 30.

The event includes Men’s and Ladies single matches for 35 years plus upto Men’s 65 years plus and Ladies 55 years plus and Men’s and ladies doubles for 40 years plus upto Men’s 70 years plus and ladies 60 years plus. The entry period for LTA Team Tennis competition for 2018 is open.

It is a single-based team competition open for all LTA Registered Venues. It aims to provide players of all ages (8&U – Open) with regular league matches, against similar standard players in a competitive team environment. 2018 entries close on January 31, 2018 for all County divisions.

Applications for Premier 12&U-18&U events will open on 6 December 2017 and close 1 week earlier, on 24 January 2018. National/Regional Open teams can confirm their entry between 6 December 2017 and 31 January 2018.