Ewell Castle Tennis Academy: From Humble Beginnings to UK’s #1

It is a bitterly cold February morning, and the time is 7.20am. The sun has yet to rise but the floodlights illuminate the three pristine artificial clay courts with the frost glistening on the surface. Eight boys are warming up, ready to start their early morning drills, working hard to keep warm in the subzero temperature. They are used to these early morning starts; many of them travel an hour to get to school. This is the first of their three sessions that day; the training is relentless.

Later that day, the LTA release their 2024 Schools Rankings, and, following a year of incredible results, Ewell Castle Tennis Academy are now ranked #1 in the UK. On the back of winning the UK National Championships in the 13U age group, the LTA has selected Ewell Castle Tennis Academy to represent England this April in Serbia, at the U15 International School Sport Federation World Championships. Most remarkable, however, is that until this September, the school had only two dilapidated courts. For the last eight years the Academy has had to source courts at local tennis clubs kind enough to allow them access to run the programme.

Against the odds!

This remarkable achievement highlights not only the creative and entrepreneurial mindset of the very small team that runs the Academy programme, but the determination of a school aspiring to be the best in a hugely competitive field, against the odds! Ewell Castle Tennis Academy was founded on the vision of providing an elite training environment while remaining inclusive, drawing students from all walks of life and many parts of the UK. It is a story of grit and determination, always pushing boundaries and never accepting there is a glass ceiling!

Nothing on this scale could ever be achieved without the vision of Silas Edmonds, the Principal, along with the bursar and governors who could see beyond the challenges and barriers, all driven by the shared belief that talent should be nurtured regardless of background. Some of our athletes come from disadvantaged backgrounds, yet within our close-knit school community, they receive the academic, financial and pastoral support essential for balancing their rigorous training with their studies. Ewell Castle Tennis Academy is incredibly diverse, reflecting the fact that talent, grit and hard-work talk, not money!

Building a Powerhouse.

Unlike other elite tennis academies, Ewell Castle has no indoor training facilities. Far from being a limitation, this challenge has fostered remarkable resilience and adaptability in our players. Training at least 14 hours a week, all year-round in the elements has strengthened their mental and physical toughness, setting them apart in national and international competition.

Starting with just a handful of players, the programme truly took off with the vision and technical expertise of Performance and Technical Coach, Tom Burn. Tom brought a professional dimension, instilling a culture of excellence, discipline, and ambition that inspired these young players to give their all. His experience and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the Academy into the powerhouse it is today, setting a standard of training that has propelled our athletes to the top of the national rankings. There are presently thirty-five tennis scholars, ranging from Year 5 to Year 13. Of those thirty-five scholars, ten of those players have or will represent England, one has represented Wales, and one has represented Great Britain. Most of them compete in ITFs and Tennis Europe where they regularly reach the final or win.

Unity and Comraderie.

One of the defining strengths of Ewell Castle Tennis Academy is the unity and camaraderie among its players. There is a shared expectation that every athlete supports their teammates, both on and off the court. At LTA competitions, players are there not just to compete but to encourage one another, ensuring that no one ever feels they are facing a challenge alone. This culture of mutual support extends beyond structured training sessions—if a court is free, it is common to see Sixth Form players hitting with much younger students, helping to develop their skills and confidence. The desire to help one another extends beyond the courts, with many of our Sixth Form players voluntarily tutoring younger teammates in Maths and other subjects, ensuring they keep up academically. This spirit of collaboration and shared success is at the heart of what makes Ewell Castle Tennis Academy such a special and supportive environment.

Hard work, Respect and Humility.

There is no room for entitlement or privilege within the Academy; hard work, respect, and humility are the foundations of the programme. This mindset has fostered a deep sense of identity among the players, who take great pride in each other’s achievements.

Now, with the LTA ranking Ewell Castle Tennis Academy as the #1 Youth Schools Boys team in the UK and the honour of representing England at the ISF World Championships in Serbia this April, we celebrate not only the remarkable talent of our young athletes but also the spirit of determination, unity, and excellence that defines our school.