Overgate in Dundee has announced its commitment to sponsoring local tennis talent, 12-year-old Ben Hudson.
The year-long support will provide vital financial support for the young Dundonian who, after much hard work, last week officially celebrated becoming the 12 & Under British Number 1!
Ben’s career trajectory has been a steady and consistent ascent to the prestigious number 1 spot.
Prior to his assuming the top place, he was ranked No.1 in Scotland at age 12 and under level and represented Scotland at the Home Internationals.
Until now, Ben’s tennis endeavours have been funded largely by his parents. This includes one private coaching lesson a week, training at the Scottish National Tennis Centre in Stirling most Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus an almost daily playing commitment, with days off to recover. Weekends for Ben and his parents are spent at national events, mostly across Scotland and increasingly across the UK.
The sponsorship announced by Overgate will allow Ben to undertake more frequent coaching over the next 12 months as well as help with his travel costs to continue to compete in events nationally and hopefully in Europe.
Furthermore, Ben has now started training in the gym, but with limited professional help in this area, the sponsorship will help him to expand on this too.
Despite the challenges Ben has faced developing his tennis skills over the last 5 years, mainly with the time and cost implications of competing nationally, his list of achievements demonstrate an outstanding ability. Over the last 3 months alone the ambitious youngster has achieved the following:
• Currently ranked No. 1 in Scotland at 12 and under (30 March 2018)
• Currently ranked No.1 in Scotland at 14 and under (30 March 2018)
• Currently ranked No. 1 in Great Britain at 12 and under.(30 March 2018)
• Currently ranked No.41 in Great Britain at 14 and under (30 March 2018)
• Grade 1 Nike British National Finals 12 and under - R/Up (March 2018)
• Scottish junior Indoor Doubles 14 and under - r/up (March 2018)
• Scottish Junior Indoor Doubles 12 and under - Winner (March 2018)
• British National 12 and under winner - Winter National tour (February 2018)
• British National 12 and under winner - Winter National tour (December 2017)
• Scottish Junior Indoor 12 and under winner - January 2018
• Scottish Junior Indoor 14 and under runner up - January 2018
Next week Ben will be playing in his first Tennis Europe event in Croatia having been selected by Great Britain Tennis.
Speaking about the sponsorship support, Malcolm Angus, Centre Manager, Overgate said,
“Overgate is delighted to be sponsoring Ben. He is an outstanding young talent with immense ambition and great promise. His list of achievements so far, especially at such a young age, deserve recognition and we hope this financial support will further help Ben to fulfil his potential over the next year and ensure his continued success. We extend our congratulations to him in becoming the British Number 1 in his age group, a truly remarkable achievement ”
SDI (Dundee 2) Limited
The Overgate Centre, Dundee is owned and managed by Legal & General, the largest commercial property company in the UK.
