On Wednesday 12^th of July 2 year 8s and 1 year 7, Isaac, Katie, Sonny and a girl from the Royal Grammar School called Hannah all got  the opportunity to go to London to take part in a tennis competition and then to visit Wimbledon. They had been chosen by their tennis coach and it was part of the Premier League 4 Sport scheme which gives opportunities to young people aged 14-25years ( our pupils had done very well to be chosen since none of them were 14 yet) They travelled down late morning on the Wednesday and went straight to their hotel in Richmond. The next day, they got up nice and early, took their breakfast, got in the taxi  and headed to their tennis tournament. Newcastle were the first to arrive, so they made themselves at home!

Isaac and Katie played in the doubles for the first few rounds whilst Hannah playing 2^nd seed and Sonny playing 1^st took part in the singles. Since they won their first 4 matches, one of them against Swansea, they qualified for the quarter-finals. Winning that game, they got through to the semi-finals but didn’t progress any further. They were all really happy with the outcome because they had come 3^rd out of 16 other teams and they hadn’t thought they would get that far.

After the presentation ceremony they were given a packed lunch by the club, then taxis arrived taking everyone to Wimbledon to watch the tennis. Luckily enough they got to watch Konta and Williams on Murray’s Mound! Unluckily for Konta, she lost. They also watched the Men’s Doubles semi-finals on Court 1! After Williams and Konta’s match  they made their way to the gift shop buying two caps and a huge tennis ball, hoping to get it signed.

All too soon, they had to get a taxi to Wimbledon Underground Station on their way to King’s Cross. After stopping off at Nandos for  tea and then McDonald’s for a nice McFlurry.

At 23:40 the train made its final stop at Central Station Newcastle where all the parents were waiting to meet their tired but happy children. 

By Katie 8KJ