New Tennis Competition is a Smash!

Just before the end of the 2020/21 academic year, the School held its very first ‘Staff-Student’ tennis competition, The Charlotte Simpson Cup, on Thursday 1st July.

The event, launched by Senior School PE Teacher and Head of Tennis, Annie Simpson-Crick (OB 2004-11), saw a member of staff randomly paired up on the day with a student to create dynamic duos. Both teaching and operational staff, including Headmaster Michael Bond, took up the challenge and entered into the spirit of the day to create 16 doubles partners.

The event was held in memory of Annie’s older sister, Charlotte Simpson (OB 2002-09), an Old Brentwood who loved sport and all things competitive, especially her tennis!

The fun-filled afternoon was a great success with a friendly but competitive streak evident in all doubles pairings. As the teams were gradually knocked out, the tournament culminated in a tense final which saw Annie and her partner, 4th Year student Will B, face off against her husband, Prep PE Teacher and Tennis Academy Head, Mark Simpson-Crick, and his partner, 4th Year student Emre Keeling. After a tough fought match, it was only fitting that Annie and Will emerged triumphant and were crowned the first ever winners of The Charlotte Simpson Cup.

Tennis is on the rise in popularity at Brentwood School and Mark has responded in kind by launching the new Tennis Academy officially this September. Individual player development will be at the heart of the Brentwood School Tennis Academy through a programme designed for pupils of all abilities from Reception through to the Sixth Form.

Pupils will have the opportunity to represent the School in numerous tennis fixtures during the Trinity Term, and Senior School players will compete in the National Schools Championships, Schools Team Tennis and Independent Schools Tennis Championships each year.

It’s fair to say that the Simpson-Cricks are invigorating the world of tennis at School and we are already excited to see who will win next year’s cup!