East of Scotland representatives earned plenty of recognition when the annual Tennis Scotland awards were handed out in Stirling.
Among the successful nominees were the Meadows Tennis Club who lifted “Park Venue of the Year” with tribute paid to the 16 courts including half of which are floodlit being open all year round.
It was also acknowledged that Meadows are now in their 20th year of turning out teams in the various VMH Solicitors East Leagues.
Present to receive the award were coach Alex Harkins, Kirsty Stobie and Alan Cameron, from Edinburgh Leisure, as well as club chair David Wood.
On the individual front Jacob Fearnley, at Texas Christian University in the USA, was named “Senior Player of the Year”.
Winner of the prestigious Edgbaston indoor tournament earlier this year when he beat former Australian Open semi-finalist Kyle Edmund in the final, Jacob, from Dalkeith, intends returning to Europe when his highly successful college stint ends shortly and embracing the grass court season.
Nearer home David Duncan and Christine Windmill were present to pick up accolades.
David was named “Official of the Year” with the citation highlighting his “attention to detail” when assisting at national and international events.
David also picked up the men’s “Padel Award” on behalf of his Barnton Park club.
For Christine Windmill her “Lifetime Achievement” award capped spectacular recent success on court as a member of the winning Great Britain women’s 75 team at the World Masters in Turkey.
Christine’s doubles partnership with Elderslie’s Marjory Love (who won the singles tournament in Turkey) saw them win elongated match-clinching tie breaks in both a semi-final against the USA and France in the final.
Off court Christine, from the Waverley club, Suffolk Road, was acknowledged for contributing as a coach, tournament director, volunteer and administrator.
In the King’s New Year’s Honours Christine was given an OBE for services to tennis.
Representing East tennis at the awards were, left to right: David Duncan (Official of the Year) and also collecting on behalf of Barnton Park Padel, Alan Cameron (Edinburgh Leisure), David Wood (Meadows Tennis Club Chair), Alex Harkins, Kirsty Stobie (Both Edinburgh Leisure) – Meadows Tennis won Park Venue of the Year, Christine Windmill OBE (Lifetime Achievement Winner).
Evergreen sports journalist. Previously published in many publications around the world. Send me your local sports stories. billlothian1008@gmail.com
