The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) is encouraging tennis venues across Gloucestershire to enter the biggest junior tournament in British Tennis and give their players the chance to compete on the world famous grass courts at the All England Club, Wimbledon.

The HSBC Road to Wimbledon Challenge is aimed at inspiring girls and boys aged 14 and under to play more tennis. The Challenge is open to all tennis clubs, parks and schools and gives competition organisers flexibility to deliver a fun, engaging and sociable event suitable to their venue.

Winners of these events will progress to an exciting County Finals weekend, with the County winners qualifying for the National Finals at Wimbledon. Runners up of the County Finals will be treated to a tennis clinic at Wimbledon led by former British No. 1 Tim Henman and AELTC Head Coach Dan Bloxham.

Simon Johnson, LTA Head of Region, added: “This is a really exciting opportunity to take part in a competition that will give players a chance to play tennis at Wimbledon. The event is open to clubs and schools and we’d love to see as many juniors aged 14 and under taking part in Gloucestershire this year.”

In 2016, 117 juniors competed at 9 events in Gloucestershire, and more than 1,200 players participated across the entire South West region.

Club, park and school events must take place between 15 April to 11 June, with the County Finals on the weekend of 15 and 16 July and the Road to Wimbledon Challenge National Finals held at Wimbledon from 14 to 19 August.

The entry fee for clubs and parks is £15 for a girls or boys event, or £25 if entering both events, while schools can enter free of charge. Each competition organiser will receive a free organiser pack to help stage the event and other benefits include the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw for Wimbledon merchandise and an invitation to attend the National Finals in August.

Entries must be submitted online and close on Tuesday 28 February.

For more information or to enter the HSBC Road to Wimbledon Challenge, visit https://www.lta.org.uk/competitions/junior/road-to-wimbledon/ or contact the southwest@lta.org.uk.