Griffin flying high in tennis championships (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Griffin flying high in tennis championships

5:00pm Sunday 9th September 2012 in Sport By Scott Kirk, Reporter

JAMES Griffin of Casterton School and a member of both Kendal and Heversham Tennis Clubs has had a remarkable summer on the tennis court inspired by Britain’s Andy Murray at Wimbledon and in the Olympics.

After having an assessment day with Mike Woods, LTA National Talent and Performance Co-ordinator/ Boys Under 10 National Team Captain he has been nominated for the LTA Regional Talent Identification Day to be held in Manchester in September and invited to train at Bolton High Performance Centre - an indication of a player who could reach the top 100 players in the world.

The great news inspired Griffin to his greatest successes to date winning the LTA Grade 3 Wigan Tennis Open at Eight & Under level beating boys from all over the North West. He won his group matches 10-2, 10-2 & 10-0, the quarter final against Patrick Loftus (Lancashire) 10-2, the semi final versus Rhys Williams (Cheshire ) 10-2 and the final against Lancashire Under Nine County Player Reuben Warwick 10-3.

Two weeks later in the Cumbria County Closed competition Griffin topped his Wigan achievements by firstly winning the County Eight and under Singles title then the next day being runner-up in the Nine and under Singles and winning the Nine and under Doubles title with partner Tom Casey.

Delighted father and coach Jon Griffin said: ”James has worked so hard at his tennis training eight hours a week and to win high level tournaments, beating numerous county players many older than him along the way is truly an outstanding achievement and just reward for all his dedication and hard work.”