Cardinal Newman School Wins Prestigious LTA Award
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Tennis Wales is thrilled to announce that Cardinal Newman School has been awarded the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) School of the Year for 2024. This remarkable achievement highlights the school's exceptional commitment to promoting and integrating tennis into both its curricular and extracurricular activities.
Cardinal Newman School, located near Pontypridd, has seen its tennis programme flourish over the past few years. The school's extracurricular tennis club boasts the highest participation rate among all activities, with over 30 pupils engaging in touch tennis weekly during winter and over 70 pupils in summer. Additionally, all 1,000 pupils at the school participate in tennis during curriculum time, including indoor touch tennis, outdoor tennis, adapted tennis, and cardio tennis. Notably, more than 30 pupils chose tennis as one of their three sports for their GCSE Physical Education practical exam last year, a number that continues to rise annually.
The school's dedication to tennis extends beyond the classroom. All pupils participate in the LTA Youth Team Challenges, with three out of their eight teams reaching the finals in the South Wales School League. The Year 10 boys' team even secured the title. Cardinal Newman School also maintains strong links with local clubs, enabling some of its pupils to qualify as Tennis Leaders and progress to Level 1 Coaching. The physical education/health and wellbeing department at the school strives to make tennis accessible, welcoming, and enjoyable for all students.
Simon Johnson, CEO of Tennis Wales, expressed his pride in the school's accomplishments: “Cardinal Newman School's dedication to tennis is exemplary. Their innovative programme and inclusive approach have set a new standard for schools across the country. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and the positive impact they have on their pupils and the wider community.”
The LTA Award ceremony, presented by Lexus, was hosted by Leon Smith, OBE, on Tuesday, 2nd July at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton. This year, Wales saw a record-breaking seven Tennis Wales Award winners shortlisted in various categories. All nominees received a warm welcome and an exclusive visit to The Championships, Wimbledon.
The Tennis Wales award winners who reached the LTA shortlist include:
- Development Coach: Ellie Lewis – Tennis Squad.
- Rising Star: Cameron Parry – Wrexham Tennis Centre.
- Park of the Year: Six Bells Park Tennis.
- Lifetime Achievement: Glyn Walters, Garw Valley Tennis Club.
- University of the Year: Cardiff Metropolitan University.
- Performance Coach: Francesca Lewis – Swansea Tennis Centre.
Congratulations to Cardinal Newman School and all our shortlisted nominees. The success of Welsh nominees in the LTA Awards underscores the tremendous efforts and dedication within our Welsh tennis community.
