A tennis centre in Newquay is rallying to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Heron Tennis is staging various events to mark two decades of providing tennis in the town.

The annual junior and adult awards were held recently as part of the celebrations, which included a special exhibition match and live music by Sally Summers.

The 2024 junior award winners included James Askey, young boy of the year, Ethan Roseveare, senior boy of the year, Poppy Clemo, young girl of the year and Scarlette Hetherington, senior girl of the year and girl’s player of the year.

The boy's player of the year was awarded to Blake Silver, the Ken Bunt Award to Oscar Weston, the positive influence award went to coach Artem Sitak while the young superstars awards were presented to Javier, William, Jago, Louis, Benji, Ted and Isla.

The competitors of the year accolade was awarded to Barney, Harry, Evelyn, Zac, Fenna, Albert, Jed, Beatrice, Gabe, Bella, Katia, Lara, Noah, Luca, Sebastian, Darcy, Lenny, Sophie, Elijah, Sofiia, Jack, Millie and Felix.

The 2024 adult awards winners included woman of the year, Lizzie Poole, man of the year, Pete Atherton, club nighter of the year Dean Hughes, team of the year, men's C team, family of the year, the Hetheringtons while padel player of the year was won by Lindsay Anning and Sam Hunter.

There was also thanks to team captains Ali, Mark, Dave, Brian, Paul, Steve A, Karen and Charlotte.

The exhibition match saw Artem, a two-time Wimbledon doubles semi-finalist, who is now head of Heron's Ace Academy, beat Finn Bass, a current pro player, multiple pro doubles champion in 2024 and a Heron member.

Josh Burt said: "These are the best days when we all come together to have fun times and celebrate all the efforts and successes by our juniors and adults.

“And a special thank you to all the parents of the juniors for supporting their children’s tennis.

“Thank you also to Whirlwind Sports for some of the prizes.

“The party evening began when some of Ace Academy's future stars performed a demonstration before becoming ball children in the exhibition match.

“The exhibition match was a super show of pro tennis and engaging for the 120 people in attendance.

“Sally Summers sang beautifully afterwards as food, drink and good times were had before the adult awards ceremony.”

Some of Heron's most successful players in 2024 were honoured, which included Poppy Clemow, aged eight who competed in national events in Bolton, Aldershot, Nottingham, Sunderland and Corby.

Poppy came first in the Bath regional event and is currently leading the way for young Cornish players.

The Ace Academy team of Ethan, Lenny, Zac, Millie, Sophie and George competed in Germany last summer.

Heron's Ladies A team competed in the national division of the UK's National Club League and ended the season as one of the top ranked club teams in the region.

Robbie Hampshaw reached the Virtus World Tennis LD Championships held in France and won a singles bronze medal as well as a doubles bronze medal.

Taylor Marsland, a GB LD squad player, competed in the LD Wimbledon tournament and came sixth in singles and third in doubles at the UK nationals.

Coach Anthony, who takes some of Heron’s disability sessions and coaches Taylor said: "Heron truly is an inclusive tennis venue and we are so proud of our LD pupils, especially Robbie and Taylor who did amazing things this year and are helping put Heron and Cornwall on the UK and world tennis maps."

Heron also marked the occasion by celebrating its experienced coaching team, which include Artem, who recently retired after 22 years on the pro tour.

Artem was once ranked 33rd in the world for men's doubles and is a former Davis Cup player. Anthony Summers was previously the head of the junior programmes of two David Lloyd Clubs in Kent.

Josh Burt, the head of Heron's adult tennis programme, an experienced junior, adult and disability coach who has won multiple Heron Club championships titles.

Steve Graves, the head of Pickleball at Heron, who is a former county junior player and qualified racket re-stringer.

Annie Watson, one of the youngest Level 3 coaches in the UK and a multiple Cornwall junior champion.

Steve Askey is a former junior and adult Cornwall champion while Jon Askey has experience on the pro tour and is a former adult Cornwall champion in singles and doubles.

Heron is also proud of its young assistant coaches who help run junior sessions and competitions, which include Hugo, Grace, Blake, Sofiia, Ethan and Jess.

The next Heron socials to continue its 20th anniversary celebrations include an evening with Artem Sitak.

The event will feature a special question and answer to learn more about his playing career, which includes a five nil winning record versus Andy Murray.

There will also be advice for aspiring players and their parents as they navigate the junior tour. A Parent and Child fun doubles tournament will also be held.

Coach Artem said: "Having been a Junior World Champion and having played at the highest level for 22 years, I know what it takes to reach the top level.

“Heron and Cornwall has some very talented and committed juniors and parents who can absolutely make it. But their costs are so high that they just need the chance and attracting sponsors is so important to help with this."

The vision for Heron Tennis centre was conceived by Terry Askey, who owned Land-Sea-Air Travel and played right back for Newquay Football Club.

Heron has established itself as a prominent tennis venue in the region over the years by offering a junior and adult tennis coaching and competition programmes, social tennis sessions, team tennis, disability sessions and its Ace Academy programme for high performing players. It has also developed a reputation for being a welcoming club.

Heron director Steve Askey said: "Our aim has always been to make a tennis home for people of all ages where juniors can come to learn tennis and make friends like a tennis youth club.

“For adults, we hoped it would be a place where they come with friends, to learn and play tennis, and to meet people and socialise."

Some of Heron's successes over the years include more than 240 junior and adult Cornwall championships singles and doubles titles won by Heron players.

Seven men's Premier League titles won in the Cornwall Summer League.

One women's Premier League title won by a Heron team, which was mostly made up of juniors.

Two juniors received full tennis scholarships to Division 1 US colleges. Seven players progressed to their age group's National Championships.

Tad Maclean, Heron and Cornwall's trailblazer of the last 20 years, who started at the centre at the age of seven, progressed to play at Junior Wimbledon.

He became the youngest world ranked Brit on the men's tour and came within one point of winning the prestigious NCAA Doubles Championships in the US.

Heron in recent years has been building on what it has established by planning a facility upgrade in the form of adding two new artificial floodlit clay courts, which is the best playing surface for tennis clubs considering the UK's climate.

The club is building two covered Padel Tennis courts, which is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

Heron also recently introduced Pickleball tennis to its programme, which has become popular in the US.

Steve Askey said: “The investment and facility improvements have been made possible in part thanks to the support of its members via five-year memberships, donations and by its attendance at a series of socials like the Doubles Tennis Marathon.

“A special mention to Mike Hammond who, as a Heron member, mentored Heron directors Jon and Steve Askey. Mike passed on his vast business experience to help put Heron's development plan together and make it financially viable.

Jon Askey said: "When we made our members aware of our plans, we were overwhelmed by how many people offered to help us.

“Having Mike Hammond's mentoring not only made our plans doable, it was also enjoyable to learn from someone so knowledgeable of the tennis world and who has been so successful in the business world.

“We would like to thank Mike and to all those who supported our plan."

People can learn more about Heron Tennis Centre and what it offers, which includes social tennis, tennis coaching, disability tennis, padel tennis, pickleball, indoor and outdoor court hire, table tennis and the Heron Room for exercise classes and events, pop into the reception, visit online at [email protected] or call 01637 877555.

People can also find Heron on its Instagram tennisheron or Facebook at Heron Tennis and Ace Tennis Coaching & Academy.

Steve Graves, who has worked at Heron since the club opened, said: "Heron has such a wide variety of opportunities to play racket sports and there really is something for everyone.”

For more information about Heron’s Set Cafe Lounge run by Karl and Sam pop in to see them or email [email protected]

Steve Askey said: “We are always looking for individuals and businesses who are keen to support some of our most committed, aspiring juniors in their bid to reach the pro ranks.

“Living in Cornwall, the costs involved in travelling to competitions around the country and Europe are especially high so we welcome anyone who is interested to contact us so you can meet our players and Head of our Ace Academy, and learn about their plans and goals.

“Please contact us via email [email protected] or by calling us on 01637 877555.”