Lower Sixth wins Somerset County ‘Services to Tennis’ award

Lower Sixth tennis player, Calum Jessett, has recently been awarded the Somerset County ‘Services to Tennis’ award, a prestigious honour for those devoted to the sport.

Sixteen-year-old Calum, from Somerton, joined Millfield Prep in Year 5 and has been a keen tennis player from a young age, playing in the squad throughout school and competing in regular competitions.

Calum recently won a ground-breaking five titles at the Somerset County Closed Championships held in Taunton. He won the men’s singles, U18 boys singles, men’s doubles with Jack, U18 boys doubles with partner Finlay Edwards and mixed doubles with partner Francesca Davies. After an ankle injury earlier in the year, his hard work and achievements have been inspiring.

Following the competition, Calum attended the Somerset LTA Awards Ceremony where he was awarded ‘Services to Tennis’ in ‘recognition of the significant contribution that he has made to tennis within the county during his career thus far.’

Calum said “I chose to join Millfield to balance my sport and academics more effectively and I have been able to do this really well. My aim was to progress in tennis, and I knew the coaches would be able to support me in reaching my goal”.

Millfield have a unique structure to the school day which balances lessons with sport; students have a two-hour lunchbreak where they can attend coaching sessions, eat lunch, and socialise before afternoon lessons. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, there are lessons in the morning and sports in the afternoon, providing a great opportunity for training and match-play.

Millfield’s Director of Tennis, Alex Walker, said “Winning the Somerset ‘Services to Tennis’ award is an outstanding achievement, and testament to the commitment and dedication that Calum demonstrates not only towards his own tennis every day, but to the sport as a whole. Calum is a conscientious, determined and ambitious individual on the tennis court, but he is also a fantastic team player who is always looking to support those around him. Calum is a core member of the tennis community here at Millfield as well as the wider region, and he undoubtedly has a bright future in tennis ahead of him.” 

Calum currently studies economics, philosophy and maths A levels and hopes to attend a US university when he leaves school and continue playing tennis.

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