US Open trophy comes to Gretton School!

On Monday 9.5.22. the USA Open trophy memorably won by Emma Raducanu in September came to the Gretton School in Girton Cambridge. Gretton School is a special school for pupils aged 5-19 who are on the autistic spectrum or who have Asperger’s Syndrome. The pupils were treated to a short video message from Emma together with the story of how she won the trophy. The students then had the opportunity to have a photo taken with the trophy before then enjoying a tennis session at the school led by coach Richard Bragg from Cambridge Lawn Tennis Club. Richard has coached Gretton pupils for a number of years. The TV cameras were at the school and the whole event featured on Look East on BBC TV that evening.

The LTA visited the school because Gretton is part of the LTA Youth Schools programme- however that is far from the whole story. Having won the Cambridgeshire and then the Central and East Regional LTA ‘school of the year’ award Gretton is now through to the national finals- a fabulous achievement! The national winners will be announced on 19.5.22 at the LTA awards ceremony which is being held online from 8pm that evening (see the LTA youtube channel which will cover the whole of the awards ceremony). All at Cambs LTA will be wishing Gretton well on the night!

Gretton school said “We were delighted to welcome members of the LTA as part of the Emma Raducanu American Open Cup Tour. The students were incredibly excited to show all the visitors their excellent tennis skills which they have been practising all year. The big highlight for the students was the chance to see the cup and listen to a personal message from Emma. The atmosphere around school this week has been one of excitement and joy. The students have been left incredibly inspired to play tennis and they are begging us to play more ! This is a fantastic legacy for Emma and the next generation have certainly felt inspired.”