Jack Findel-Hawkins with Paul Hutchins

University coaching supports top tennis player

16 year old Devon schoolboy Jack Findel-Hawkins is making a name for himself on the national junior tennis scene.

Jack became GB 16 and under number 1 ranked player before Christmas. He backed this up with a comprehensive win in the National grade 2 event at Bolton.

Jack trains at the University of Exeter Tennis Centre, where he receives dedicated and specialised coaching from the University’s Director of Tennis Will McNally. He is a pupil at Exmouth Community College, trains with the University’s 1st team and other top juniors. This allows him all the opportunities to be constantly challenged and continue in his development.

McNally, a top level Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) coach who has worked with some top junior players, was full of praise for young Jack following his progress in the tournament. He said “It’s encouraging to see Jack’s hard work in training translate to success in competition. He is extremely keen and committed to the sport and his all-round game is developing quickly. Jack displays a great temperament for the big time as well as demonstrating an ability that can take him to even higher levels.”

The main draw comprised of 32 of the top competitors nationwide. In his opening match, Jack defeated the talented Youssef Hassan from Berkshire 6-2, 6-1. Jack then faced 6ft 3 Nottingham’s Christopher Wood displaying another striking performance winning 6-2, 6-2. In the quarter finals Jack faced his toughest test by beating Bath’s Academy player Toby Mitchell from Somerset 6-4, 6-0. In the semi final Jack again dominated the match beating Angus Mccall 6-2, 6-2. Saving the best till last he overcame Robert Mitchell from Hampshire in the final winning 6-1, 6-0 completing an impressive run of results.

Having qualified for both age groups of the 16 and 18 Masters events held at the National Tennis Centre, in preparation Jack will be following a strict training programme supervised by McNally. As a result of his performances over the past year Jack was rewarded by being selected to represent Great Britain in the Dunningham International Match and now regularly attends National Training Camps at the LTA’s headquarters. The main aim for this year is to move up the rankings, having first obtained his Junior ITF World Ranking in 2010.

Jack hopes to become a professional Tennis Player and dreams of being the next British Wimbledon Tennis Champion.

Date: 14 January 2011