THE strength of Ilkley Lawn Tennis Club's coaching system was demonstrated when the finals of the West Yorkshire Schools Mini Tennis Championships were held at South Leeds Tennis Centre.

Teams were present from around West Yorkshire having already qualified by winning their district events.

Out of 19 teams competing in the mini red, orange and green tennis tournaments, nine teams were almost entirely made up of or highly represented by juniors who are coached at Ilkley Tennis Club.

Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club General Manager Billy Kerr was at the event both as an official and as a parent.

He said: " This just shows the depth of talent at the younger end at Ilkley Tennis Club. The strong links with local schools are paying off as we see the junior coaching programme continue to expand.

"Many local young players are achieving success in events such as this. "

The teams with Ilkley Tennis Club connections who competed were from All Saints Primary School, Ilkley; Ben Rhydding Primary School; Sacred Heart RC Primary School, Ilkley; Ghyll Royd School, Burley-in-Wharfedale; and Bradford Boys and Bradford Girls Grammar Schools.

Four of the teams qualified for the All Yorkshire Schools finals, with two teams winning the event outright on the day.

Ben Rhydding Primary School's girls won the green event while Bradford Grammar School boys won the boys green event.

Ilkley All Saints School and Ilkley Sacred Heart qualified for the red and orange finals respectively.

Coach Georgina Jackson, the Ilkley club's mini tennis co-ordinator, is delighted with the success.

In praising her Billy Kerr said: "She is to be congratulated for the massive amount of organisation and liaison with schools that is required to make it happen."

The Ilkley Club is now gearing up for its annual open tournament which attracts players from all around the world. Many who have been seen at Ilkley as youngsters have gone on to play at Wimbledon and in major tournaments around the world.

This years Ilkley Open will take place from July 24 to 31 and again it will incorporate the Hasting Direct British Tour men's and ladies' singles, as well as a full programme of junior, veteran and handicap events.

New this year will be the introduction of an under-10 event which will be mainly played out on the first weekend.

The club which also runs squash and table tennis teams is branching out into fitness. A new addition to the club is a fitness trail on the sports field adjacent to the club. This will be launched next week with a group circuit.

This will provide an excellent extension to the club's fitness centre.