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Teenage tennis gets Smart at Wimbledon
Playing at the Wimbledon, the All England Tennis Club fulfilled a dream for tennis ace Emma Brook, 14. Emma, from Thorpe House School, qualified for the "Road to Wimbledon" under 14 national challenge played on the famous championship grass courts of SW19 out of 14,000 youngsters across the UK. Player selection for this prestigious event began in April with 800 clubs staging a tournament for their youngsters. Emma, having jumped this first hurdle, then had to battle her way through one of the 44 County finals. As the winner for Norfolk County, she then got the chance to take part in the national finals at Wimbledon, along with 127 other star players.
Facing tough competition from the country's other top tennis talent Emma won through the round robin stage of the event to qualify for the last 32 players but was then knocked out by the eventual quarter finalist. This, however, has not daunted Emma in the slightest - far from it! Competing in the tournament has only fuelled her ambition to compete at a professional level in tennis. Speaking of her experience, Emma says:
"The tournament was run just like the real championships; it was really exciting to play on the famous show courts. Now I want to get to the Junior Wimbledon and eventually qualify for the senior event!"
With that amount of determination, we are sure we haven't heard the last of Emma Brook. These thoughts are shared by systems integrator, Smart421. The Ipswich based company has been providing managed IT solutions to some of Europe's largest organizations since 1989, and employs more than 110 people who work in a variety of locations across the UK and Europe. Smart421's CEO, Julian Harris, is particularly keen to see British success in sport and provides great support and incentive particularly to youngsters who are passionate to achieve success.
Obtaining this sponsorship has fuelled Emma's ambition - aided no doubt by the additional 10 national and international titles she won this summer and the further seven finals she competed in. A busy summer, culminating in the ultimate honour of playing at Wimbledon has meant many hours of training and forfeiting much of Emma's teenage social life. The work, however, seems to have paid off, as Emma's coach Martin Smith points out:
"Emma is a real prospect. Her determination and hard work are exemplary but what singles her out is here cheerful attitude and self-belief. Emma is a great athlete and a really strong competitor - which is key in today's game."
Emma's coming winter training is now beginning; she is setting her sites on a high national ranking and success in European competition.
Courtesy of Mark Brook
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