A COACH’S work in encouraging youngsters to take up tennis has caught the eye of a judging panel.

Now Stuart Murray is shortlisted for national recognition after winning a north west award.

His efforts are making everyone proud at Alderley Edge Tennis Club.

After being named Cheshire Coach of the Year, Alderley Edge’s head coach was put forward to a regional judging panel and has been named the North Region’s Coach of the Year in the Aegon British Tennis Awards.

Ruth Samuels, chairman of the junior section at Alderley Edge Tennis Club, said: “Huge congratulations to Stuart from everyone at the club.

“We are delighted and proud that our head tennis coach has won such a prestigious award after winning Cheshire Coach of the Year in 2016.”

Murray has been instrumental in helping the junior section of the club to grow five-fold between February 2015 and June 2016.

The North Region’s Coach of the Year nomination also recognised his work going into schools to deliver tennis to pupils, his efforts to introduce tots tennis sessions at the club and his success at developing county-level junior players.

The regional panel were also impressed by Stuart’s ‘can-do’ attitude to coaching.

Undeterred by the lack of indoor provision at the club’s Moss Lane base, which is home to Alderley Edge Cricket Club, Murray secured the use of local indoor community facilities over the winter months to enable coaching to continue for more than 30 junior and top players.

Rob Forster, president of Cheshire County Lawn Tennis Association, added: “It is an honour for Cheshire to have a regional winner in the Aegon British Tennis Awards.

“Stuart’s contribution towards local tennis in Cheshire has been outstanding and the award is fully deserved.

“We wish Stuart every luck as he now goes forward to be judged by a national panel for the title of national award winner.”

As a regional award winner, Murray will now be put forward to a national judging panel who will determine overall winners for each category.

Those successful will be invited to attend the national Aegon British Tennis Awards ceremony in London on July 4.