Strategic Team Group returns an ace for junior tennis champion with increased sponsorship

UK number one under 13 and top European ranking tennis player, 12 year old Peter Ashley of Cookridge, Leeds is to receive an even bigger bonus for his match wins from existing sponsor, Castleford based, Strategic Team Group, one of the UK¹s fastest growing building contractors.

Building on its reputation for supporting young talent, the Castleford based company has agreed to renew its twelve month sponsorship deal, which will see increased monthly funds of £150 contributing towards the England and Yorkshire player¹s travel costs as he competes in tournaments throughout the UK and worldwide.  In addition, Peter, who attends Ralph Thorseby School, will receive a bonus of £200 for every tournament he wins and £150 for reaching the finals, plus he will be kitted out in branded sportswear featuring the Strategic Team Group logo.  Peter is also being sponsored by Wilson.

As a member of Carnegie Tennis Club, a high performance centre in Headingley, Leeds, Peter is coached by Kate Warne Holland and trains 21 hours per week, having been granted leave from Ralph Thorseby School, where he now studies three days per week.  He is currently number one in the UK Under 13 ranking, number 10 in the UK Under 14 and number 10 in the European Under 13 ranking.  Peter started his tennis career at just four years old, when it became apparent that he had a natural talent for the game with excellent hand / eye co-ordination plus great enthusiasm.  

Peter is now concentrating on gaining European ranking points in his bid to master the world stage. His schedule for 2009 will so far see him competing in a staggering 10 Opens from Thongsbridge to Croatia and he also hopes to link up with a tennis academy in Belgium for some extra training.

Commenting on the sponsorship deal, Peter Ashley said:

"The sponsorship deal from Strategic Team Group is crucial to my progress at this stage in my development.  To secure a world ranking and profile, I have to compete in as many international tournaments as I can and as a result the majority of the sponsor money goes on my travel expenses.  As you can imagine, my parents are even more delighted with the increased package and it takes some of the pressure off them!"

Charles Tweed, Strategic Team Group business development director said:

"We are all very proud of Peter¹s achievements to-date, in fact it¹s really inspiring and quite humbling to watch him play.  He really is incredibly talented and committed as he has to put a phenomenal amount of training in to continue to develop, so we are delighted that we are able to support him during these crucial stages of his promising career.

"We, along with his parents and coach, are confident that Peter is well on his way to making a career as professional tennis player."