Page 78 - RADC 2016

SPORT
Army Tennis
Major Fiona Welborn
I can’t think of the last time that tennis didn’t feature heavily in my week, even when I was in Kenya. The 2015-2016 tennis season has probably been the most successful I’ve ever had ranging from playing for my local club to participating in the Inter-Services championships.
I have always found that tennis is a great way to meet likeminded people and hence have made moving around much easier. Currently the Of cers’ Club, Colchester
is where I play the majority of my tennis and I have participated in summer league matches for them helping the ladies A team win their division.
Although the
tennis season never
really ends the Army
season started
earlier for me this
year than in the past
with the Army Indoor
Championships. Over
two days in February
individuals battled their
way through a series of matches in a round robin format to get to the knockout stages. The AMS played a strong part in both the men’s and ladies draw with Cpl Lawrence Tere AMS winning the Men’s title whilst I won the Ladies title.
Ex Grandslam, our training camp in La Manga, was held for the fourth year running and involved players of all standards ranging from men’s and ladies A’s to individuals who had only picked up a racquet a year before. Coaching started each day with matches through the afternoon.
In the lead up to the Army Lawn Tennis Championships I was conscious that my preparation hadn’t been as good as in
previous years with Ex Askari Serpent taking me away but with the Inter-services A’s
not long after it was a good chance to get some match play under my belt. I entered the Ladies Singles, Ladies Doubles, mixed Doubles and the Inter Arms and Corps – in hindsight one event too many! Playing with Lt Preet Chandi AMS we didn’t last long in the Inter Arms and Corps event losing in
the rst round to a pair of eventual nalists. My rst nal was in the mixed Doubles partnering 2Lt Scott Sears RGR which, after two close sets, we were fortunate enough to win. The Ladies Singles nal was next against Lt Chandi who in the past I have
never managed to get more than a couple
of games off and on the hottest day of the year so far I was sure something similar was in store this year. It’s amazing how much
a little self-belief can
turn a match around, having been set points down I managed to claw back the rst set and in a remarkable
turn of events won the second set. The Ladies Doubles nal, partnering Maj Charlie Walsh AGC, was my nal match of the championships and my body was wishing I was watching with a drink in hand. A win in this match gave me my third title and place in the Inter Services A team.
The Interservices A’s were due to be played at Roehampton in August but the weather was against us and the Ladies teams ended up playing at RAF Halton and the with the Mens teams playing at Portsmouth. Day 1 of singles saw the Army leading the way in both events but all
was to play for on day 2. The Army Ladies comfortably took the win with 11 rubbers whereas the Men’s went down to the last matches where they took the win with 9 rubbers.
We are always looking for players of all stands to become involved in both Army tennis and AMS tennis. The website www. armytennis.org contains details of all of the events that occur and has contact details for Corps secretary/chairman. The AMS are planning to hold a tennis day in early 2017 with the main focus being on getting beginners/intermediates playing with some coaching and a fun competition at the end split up by ability.
76 RADC BULLETIN 2016
The AMS played a strong part in both the men’s and ladies draw...