Sun, Success and Silverware: A Standout Summer on the Courts

This summer has been one to remember for Lancing Tennis, with outstanding performances across all age groups, a host of silverware, and a thriving sense of community on and off the courts. 

We are incredibly grateful to the Lancing Parents Association for their generous support in providing our brand-new scoreboards, which have been in use for the first time this season. These have brought a new level of professionalism to our fixtures and events, enhancing both the player and spectator experience. They have already been widely praised by visiting opposition and have added a real sense of occasion and progress to matches across the term. 

The season began in impressive fashion at the Independent Schools Sussex League Tournament, where both the U16 boys and U18 girls set the tone early by reaching their respective finals. In two fiercely competitive events, both teams finished as runners-up, demonstrating resilience, depth, and quality against some of the strongest opposition in the county. Not to be outdone, a young and promising U16 girls’ squad, made up entirely of Third and Fourth Form pupils, secured a highly commendable 3rd place, signalling an exciting future for the programme. 

Silverware soon followed as the U18 boys delivered a superb campaign to win the Sussex Plate. Their success was built on consistency and dominance, also reflected in their block fixture record this term: an unbeaten run against Worth, Brighton College, Ardingly, the OLs, and Seaford College. Matching this success, the U18A girls have also remained undefeated in their block fixtures, underlining a remarkable term for our senior teams. 

The U18A girls’ season was further highlighted by their progression in the National Schools competition. A thrilling first-round victory over Eastbourne College was sealed by a dramatic shoot-out from Coco Mole and Hattie Pope, booking their place in the final 16 group phase. They also claimed the runners-up spot at the Sussex Schools County Championships at Bede’s, continuing their run of strong performances on the county stage.  

Alongside these competitive achievements, this year also saw the exciting launch of a new  Sports Psychology Programme in collaboration with Nathan B. A hand-selected group of tennis players were invited to take part in a series of five seminars exploring key mental aspects of performance, including how we perceive pressure, understanding what lies within our control, and developing practical strategies to improve on court. The workshops were well received and mark an important step in our ambition to further embed psychological skills within tennis at Lancing. A programme we hope to expand across other sports in the near future. 

Special recognition must go to our Team of the Season: the U14A boys, who have been nothing short of exceptional. Undefeated across all league matches and block fixtures, they have showcased both skill and teamwork, while highlighting some outstanding new talent emerging from the Third Form cohort. It has also been fantastic to see two Lancing Prep Hove pupils, William G and Skye K, step up to senior level this term, competing superbly in county and friendly fixtures and embracing the opportunity with confidence. 

Beyond competitive fixtures, the co-curricular side of tennis has been equally vibrant. With over 80 students involved in the weekly private tennis lesson programme and 120 in the team tennis programme. We also launched our first internal league whereby students have the additional opportunity to receive more match experience by competing in singles matches onsite, against fellow students of similar ability to themselves.  

 The return of the long-awaited sunshine provided the perfect backdrop for House Tennis, which delivered one of the most dramatic tournaments in recent memory. In the Junior Boys’ event, history was made as the competition ended in a complete tie – level on matches, rubbers, and even points scored – forcing a rare rematch between Teme and Second’s House. In a gripping contest filled with adversity and determination, Second’s edged the final match to claim the title. 

The Junior Girls’ competition followed a similarly thrilling script. Handford and Manor fought their way to the final, with the outcome once again coming down to the deciding rubber. In a fitting end to a closely contested tournament, Handford held their nerve to retain their title. Coaches also recognised standout individual performances, with Franzi K and Preston W named Players of the Day. 

For the Senior Boys’, the question was whether Head’s House would secure a third consecutive title or if Saints’ House, tipped as favourites, could bring it home for the first time. In classic round-robin fashion, it came down to the final rubber, where Heads House emerged victorious. Special mention must go to Upper Sixth students Austin J and Loui G, who have represented Heads in House Tennis every year since Third Form and have remained unbeaten champions since 2022. 

The Senior Girls’ House Tennis was always likely to come down to two Houses this year: Manor vs Fields. In typically competitive fashion, with Fields’ 1st pair winning their match and Manor’s 2nd pair taking theirs, it came down to the decisive 3rd pairs—highlighting how House Tennis truly is a team event. Ultimately, it was Fields who claimed the title as new champions. 

Adding further excitement to the calendar was the much-anticipated return of the Junior and Senior Manor Cup, where tennis meets creativity in a unique mixed doubles format featuring fancy dress. This year brought the added challenge of a heatwave, but it did little to deter Lancing’s students. With over 80 players competing across both days, the tournament progressed from a fun-loving group stage to a high-quality knockout phase. 

The junior final was a spectacle both on and off the court, as Preston W and Olivia M (Gibbs and Sankeys), dressed as characters from Jaws, defeated Franzi K and Bertie F (Handford and Teme), dressed as Mario and Luigi, in a thrilling tie-break to lift the 2026 title. 

The senior final saw Fifth Form and House Tennis winners Coco M and Jacob T (Fields and Heads) take on Lower Sixth Form underdogs Emily S and Jack B (Sankeys and Teme), who, despite their strong efforts, ultimately lost out to the top seeds. 

Sixth Form pupils certainly raised the bar with their fancy dress this year, with standout efforts from Lottie F, Adnam L, Lily T and Loui G, who came dressed as Trolls and Marge & Homer Simpson.  

Community spirit was also front and centre during the inaugural OLs sports day fixture, played in glorious conditions on the grass courts. Bringing together former pupils spanning nearly three decades, the day celebrated connection, competition, and camaraderie. Highlights included siblings competing against one another, parents and children teaming up, and former captains joining forces for the first time. The current students ultimately emerged victorious with a 3–2 win, with one standout match featuring Ben A and Jacob T against former 1st team captains Loui S and George N —a contest that showcased tennis of the highest calibre. 

Finally we congratulate our recipients of the tennis awards at this years Sports Dinner who were recognised for their commitment and contribution to our sport: Logan B (1st VI Boys), Shimon M (2nd VI Boys), Andrew B (3rd VI Boys), Amelia P (1st VI Girls), Peony S (2nd VI Girls) and Jaylin W (3rd VI Girls).  

2026 has been a summer defined by excellence, enthusiasm, and innovation—both on court and in mindset—setting an exciting tone for the seasons ahead. 

Miss Siobhan Airey
Head of Tennis