A BASCHURCH tennis player has won back-to-back awards for his work at his club at prestigious county awards in Shropshire.

Taylor Youens picked a second consecutive young person of the year award for his work with Baschurch Tennis Club at the awards, picking up his award from Tennis Shropshire president Keith Smith.

Shropshire awards were also presented to Peter Hughes (volunteer of the year) from Wem Tennis Club, which was named club of the year, Craig Sherratt (development coach of the year), Adam Wharf (performance coach of the year) and the Battle of Shropshire (competition of the year).

The LTA Tennis Awards highlight the achievements and contributions of people involved with the sport across Britain each year.

Launched in 2015, Shropshire’s former LTA president Cathie Sabin – who was always so passionate about recognising the efforts of the many thousands of inspirational individuals involved in tennis – was instrumental in the awards being introduced.

The county winners from across England will now go forward to the regional awards, with the regional winners then progressing to the national LTA Tennis Awards alongside winners from Tennis Wales and Tennis Scotland.

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Tennis Shropshire chairman Fiona Jones said: “Congratulations to all our county winners and to everyone nominated for this year’s awards.

“We are fortunate in Shropshire to have so many wonderful clubs that depend so much on the dedication and support of inspirational volunteers.

“There are so many hard-working people involved with tennis in the county and it is fantastic that their efforts attract such well deserved recognition.

“We wish our Shropshire winners well as they progress to the regional stage of the LTA Tennis Awards."

Taylor received the young person of the year award for the second successive year.

The awards were told that he completed his level one in tennis coaching and runs Saturday social for two hours at the club every weekend.

A spokesman added: "He has also helped run a club with one of the head coaches on Mondays for school children, as well as an LTA club for six weeks, clubs throughout the summer holidays, and he assists the coaches each Thursday with sessions for younger groups of children.

"The first to volunteer with training, events and open days at Baschurch, Taylor is always on time, polite, kind and well mannered."