A young amateur tennis player has won tennis coaching from British number one Andy Murray, thanks to specialist tennis coaching at Bristol University’s Summer Sports Coaching Camp.

Nine-year-old, Joe Sullivan was first introduced to tennis last summer alongside a range of other sports, through the University’s Sports Coaching Camps based at Coombe Dingle Sports Complex. Enthused by the tennis coaching and keen to pursue the sport, he started playing more regularly as well as entering a Robinson’s Fruit Shoot phone-in competition.

The competition involved answering the question ‘What sport is Andy Murray famous for?’ to which Joe responded correctly, winning him a coaching session with Andy this September at a local Bristol venue. Andy is currently world ranked number 19, having recently beaten world number one Roger Federer in straight sets.

Joe’s mum, Sarah Sullivan, a member of Bristol University staff, said: “Joe and his brother Ben love the University sports camp because they receive high-quality sports coaching, and therefore a chance to get a good grounding in a sport of their choice. They also have a lot of fun, and seem to strike up a good repartee with their coaches.”

Sarah Troke, Sports Development Manager, University of Bristol, Centre for Sport Exercise and Health, said: “I am thrilled to hear that after trying tennis for the first time at the University camps, Joe has gone on to play more and have such a love for the sport. This is the main aim of the camps, to get more local children trying and taking up different sports while experiencing the high-quality University sports facilities and coaching. How brilliant that Joe then went on to enter and win a competition that will only enhance his enthusiasm for tennis more. Congratulations, Joe!”

More information on the University’s Summer Sports Camps for children run by the University’s Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health, can be found at www.bris.ac.uk/sport/community/vac-sports.html