© picture by John McVitty, Enniskillen, Co.Fermanagh, N. Ireland – 07771987378 ©
Sarah Cousins, (centre), winner of the Star of the Future -14yrs and under, receiving her award from Lily Dane, Impartial Reporter and Ian Kells, S.D. Kells.<<
What a year 2012 turned out to be for Enniskillen Tennis Club member Sarah Cousins. A number of singles titles, selection to play for Ulster and winning the end of year Ulster match-plays! Its such an amazing achievement for a local player to dominate the Ulster tennis scene, but all this success is of course the result of a great deal of hard work and commitment. It is a familiar sight for club members to see Sarah training at the club and to witness the power and the look of fear in her coach’s eyes as yet another tennis ball hurtles towards Matthew at great speed!
It is not that often though that someone so young (just 13 years old) receives the respect and admiration of the whole sporting community. But over the last week that is exactly what happened. On February the 22nd the Impartial Reporter held its sports awards evening at the Lough Erne Golf Resort. Sarah had a nomination in the ‘Star of the Future’ category. The award was the first one of the evening and went to a very surprised Sarah! With so many young sports people performing at a high level in Fermanagh it really was a very special award.
One week later, on March 1st the Fermanagh district council held its annual sports awards evening at the Killyhevlin Hotel. Sarah had received a nomination in the ‘Under 16 Juvenile Sports Personality of the Year’ section. It hardly seemed possible that she would win yet another award within a week of the previous one but that is exactly what happened. Sarah won the category and received a fine trophy and a perpetual cup. Surely space has long since run out on the mantle-piece at home!
Although awards are not what our junior tennis players train for, it is a huge honour for their efforts and achievements to be publicly recognised! With so many juniors playing at such a high level in our club this year will certainly be another memorable one.
