Congratulations to Lucy Dodd

After battling through a series of Silver and Gold tournaments, our Under 15 Lucy Dodd made it through to junior international recognition this weekend, having been selected for England in the Quadrangular tournament against Scotland, Wales and Ireland held on Friday in Glasgow. She is the first to have been able to make this step for at least 15 years.

Lucy did not get to play singles but she scored 4 wins from her five matches of level and mixed doubles and in the fifth match against Wales she only lost 23-25 in the third end. The team event was followed by an individual tournament, in which Lucy was one of the stars. Playing in the mixed doubles with Dan Kemp of Cumbria, three good wins took them to the final against another English pair: a close three-ender going to Lucy and Dan. Seeded number one in the girls doubles with regular partner Lucy Brierley of Notts, the girls scored a good close win over an Irish pair in the semi, before registering an emphatic win over the Scots in the final. So, all in all, it was a great trip north of the border for Lucy. Many congratulations to her!

It is particularly difficult for our juniors, up here in the far north east, to get recognised for their talents. It is a very big committment for players and parents, almost always having to travel many miles south to the major tournaments. So, let Lucy be an inspiration to all our juniors.