New tennis academy launched in memory of young Burnham player

Published: December 20, 2007
New tennis academy launched in memory of young Burnham player

A new tennis academy has been launched in Burnham-On-Sea this week in memory of teenage tennis ace Nathan Edwards, who died in a tragic road accident last month.

Nathan's parents, Sally Edwards and Joe Montgomery, were at the unveiling of The Nathan Edwards Tennis Academy at Burnham's Avenue Tennis Club.

They were joined by club coaches James Tuckett and Jamie Allen, plus club President Peter Alexander (pictured).

The Academy has been set up in memory of 17-year-old Nathan, who died in a car accident at Long Ashton, near Bristol, on November 20th.

Fellow players, friends and tennis clubs across the region have paid tribute to the talented, charismatic young player in recent weeks - and they are now backing the launch of this new initiative.

The Academy will financially support young players like Nathan who show lots of talent but are limited to their full potential because of limited funds. The scheme will give them access to top-class training that they otherwise could not afford and aims to generate British champions.

Coach James Tuckett said the Academy will initially support a group of 12 young players aged 8-10 and take them through a full training programme.

"In March we'll be visiting local primary schools to meet young players and to draw up a short-list of those who show the most ability," he explained.

Nathan Edwards "There will be a high coach-to-pupil ratio at the training sessions, which we'll hold over five hours each week."

"We want to break down the barriers that maintain tennis as an elitist sport and make it accessible to those young people with talent."

Mr Alexander added: "My hope for the Academy is that we can generate a British champion. I really think we can do something very positive here from something so terrible."

Nathan's mother, Sally, thanked those who have set up the group and those who have shown so much support in recent weeks.

"This is something Nathan would have loved to be a part of himself as a coach - so I'm certainly happy to be back it. He would be so chuffed," she said.

Sally is keen to encourage Nathan's friends and the hundreds of mourners who filled St Andrew's Church in Burnham last month to support the group.

"I feel many of those who were at the funeral would have given towards this cause if they'd been aware of it, so would encourage them to come forward now."

Tennis clubs and groups across the county are already rallying to the cause, with the Somerset Lawn Tennis Association donating £500 to the Academy, and the National LTA giving its support.

Nathan Edwards receiving a trophy after a win in Burnham Meanwhile, a plaque in memory of Nathan has been unveiled at David Lloyd Tennis Centre in Long Ashton, where he was a very popular member.

And Burnham's Avenue Tennis Club has also said it will be award the Nathan Edwards Memorial Trophy to the winner of a new under 18s tournament. Clevedon Tennis Club is also to hold a tournament in Nathan's memory next year.

A successful quiz night was held at Burnham's Somerset and Dorset pub on Tuesday (December 18th) when over £500 was raised towards the Academy and a fundraising skittles evening is to be held in Burnham on February 1st. An auction will take place at the event and promises can be made by contacting the club on 782758.

To donate to the Academy, cheques should be payable to the 'Avenue Tennis Club', with 'Nathan Edwards Academy' clearly written on the reverse. They can be sent to the Avenue Tennis Club, The Grove, Burnham-On-Sea, TA8 2PA.