A young Burnham-On-Sea tennis player has been praised after coming runner-up in a regional tennis tournament.
Johnnie Bougourd, 7, is the newest member of Burnham-On-Sea’s Nathan Edwards Tennis Academy and competed in the annual David Lloyd Christmas Tournament over the holiday period.
Sally Edwards of the Nathan Edwards Tennis Academy told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “What we saw was a raw talent and a litle boy who showed amazing intensity, tenacity and focus when he played so were very pleased to take him onboard. He has progressed very quickly, and with the individual coaching of Jamie Allen improving his technique, he has become one of our strongest players and a real prospect for the future.”
At his first red ball tournament at the David Lloyd Centre in Long Ashton, he won three out of five matches, an excellent result against high class opponents. He followed this up at the David Lloyd Christmas Tournament by coming runner-up, winning 4 out of 5 matches in the round robin draw.
Sally added: “Johnnie is the first of our red ball players to start competing and we hope he will lead the way for the others. The Academy has five red ball players who are all showing great potential.”
The academy currently has three vacancies to fill and is keen to find new talent.
Pictured above is Johnnie being presented with his certificate and prize by Jess Budd, the referee. Jess was Nathan Edwards’ girlfriend and is now on a tennis scholarship to an American University in Atlanta
