Our Junior Welsh team flew to Dublin to compete in this year’s annual Junior Four Nations event. Held at the Donnybrook Lawn Tennis Club, this highly competitive tournament brought together some of the top junior players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales to compete across three action-packed days. Representing Wales were 12 young players spanning the U12, U14, and U18 age groups, led by three team captains.
The Welsh squad displayed incredible teamwork, resilience, and skill throughout the event, finishing an impressive 2nd place overall—a fantastic achievement for the team. England finished 1st with a total of 10 points, closely followed by Wales with 8 points, Scotland finished in 3rd place with 7 points, and Ireland rounded out the standings with 5 points.
As individual ages groups, the U18 team brought home the title for their age group, whilst the U14 team secured a hard-fought 2nd place. The youngest group, the U12 team, put up a spirited effort, gaining valuable experience against some of the toughest competition in their age category, and finished 4th.
Chris Lewis, Head of Performance for Tennis Wales, was full of praise for the team’s dedication and performance throughout the tournament. Reflecting on their efforts, he said: “It is always an honour to see players put the red shirt on and compete for their country. Invariably, players raise their level in these moments, and this year’s event was certainly a case of that with some excellent individual and team performances.”
U12 Team Line-up
Representing Wales in the U12 category were Leo Weston, Charlie Newman, Elin Lewis, and Amelie Caesar, led by captain Luke Simeone. The youngest group faced some tough matches but fought admirably in every contest, gaining vital experience along the way. The players showed grit and determination throughout the competition.
U14 Team Line-up
The U14 squad, featuring Rundong Huang, Max Lendrum, Awen Gwilym-Davies, and Isabella Lieve-Morgan, with Becca Strelzyn as captain, battled their way to an impressive 2nd place finish. They faced fierce competition from the other nations but displayed maturity and skill beyond their years, coming away with many positive results.
U18 Team Line-up
The U18 team of Conor Flynn, Felix Bockelmann-Evans, Elizabeth Evans, and Gracie Hurley, led by captain Chris Lewis, were the most successful team within the Welsh contingent, capturing the title for their age group. Their dominant performances and unwavering focus throughout the tournament secured them the top spot.
The achievements of the Welsh team are a testament to the quality and depth of the Tennis Wales player pathway and the hard work of coaches, parents, and support staff who have invested in these young athletes. Competing at events like this not only provides invaluable experience but also builds confidence and motivation for future success.
A personal highlight for us was seeing the unwavering support these plays had for each other, supporting each other on & off the court.
Congratulations to all the Welsh players, parents and coaches involved in this year’s Junior Four Nations. The entire team has represented Wales with pride and professionalism in the tough 3 day competition.