Awards finalists start the celebrations early

10:00am Tuesday 19th February 2008

TOTALLY Tennis are celebrating having finalists in three categories in this year's Basingstoke and Deane Sports Awards, sponsored by The Gazette.

The awards, organised by the voluntary Basingstoke and Deane Local Sports Council, will be presented at the Apollo Hotel on Friday, February 29.

Head coach Shane Deacon is in the running for the coach of the year award, centre manager Jo Brett is a finalist in the service to sport section, and the third chance comes in the club of the year category, which they won in 2004.

Deacon, who also heads player development at the club, has been instrumental in the success of the centre, helping tennis director Nigel Long to drive the club forward and produce quality players.

Deacon, who played at the club as a teenager, is also a performance coach and has produced county players of all ages, many of whom have gone on to compete nationally.

He has successfully forged links with clubs and players in other countries, giving Totally Tennis players opportunities to play and compete abroad.

Five players gained tennis scholarships to American universities with help from Deacon. He has accompanied them on trips and given invaluable experience of the opportunities available.

Two of these players have now graduated.

Deacon won the LTA Darren Toop Young Coach of the Year award in 2000, and was second in the LTA coach of the year category in 2007.

Brett, who has been at the club for 14 years, has worked hard to ensure continuing success each year. In 2007, she won the Hampshire and Isle of Wight LTA press award for her outstanding contribution to tennis in Hampshire, writing the Serve and Volley page every week in The Monday Gazette.

She has also been instrumental in the success of tennis development in the town and runs the LTA-recognised Totally Tennis schools programme.

The club were the club of the year in 2004 and have been shortlisted consistently every year since 2002.

In their 18-year history, Totally Tennis have grown from humble beginnings to have the excellent indoor and outdoor facilities and programmes of today.

In 2007, the club became the first Prince Plugged In (PPI) club in this country and only the fourth in Europe.

Investors in People status was also retained for another three years, while three of the coaches continued professional development by gaining the Club Coaches Award (CCA).

Brett said of the announcement: "It's fantastic that we are finalists in three categories this year, and it's especially great to be considered for the club of the year award for the sixth year running.

"The event itself is always a great representation of the incredible sportsmen and women we have in this town."

Totally Tennis players Stephanie Catlin, Kelsey Mosquera, Holly Edwards, Rachel Whiteside, Luke Miles, Ross Catlin and Simon James were considered for junior awards and have received grant aid towards their training.

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