Centre of attention

Jun 26 2003 By Christopher Beesley, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

TENNIS: LITTLE Sutton ace Jordan McCulloch will fulfil every tennis player's ambition on Saturday as he gets the chance to play on Wimbledon's famous Centre Court.

The 12-year-old Whitby High School pupil will take part in a demonstration with other youngsters who are in the National Futures programme for developing the country's best young talent.

His dad, Steve, said: 'Jordan will be involved in a routine featuring several drills and some doubles play during a break for the senior action. It's a dream come true for him and will be something he can always treasure. Last year he was fortunate enough to play on Court Number One but this is even better.

'He will travel down to the national training centre at Bisham Abbey tomorrow night ahead of practise sessions on Friday and then it's off to London on Saturday morning. Jordan will appear alongside three other boys and four girls who have all been specially chosen to take part.'

The trip to Wimbledon will provide a welcome break for the McCulloch family, who have all been kept busy by Jordan's hectic tournament schedule.

Over the two weeks he has appeared in three major competitions, winning two of them and finishing runner-up in the other.

Jordan secured victory in the Northern final of the Fred Perry Challenge at David Lloyd Leisure at Cheshire Oaks, overcoming Nottingham's Oliver Gilbert.

The victory ensured Jordan qualified for the National Finals at London's Roehampton Tennis Club and he secured that title with a 6-3, 6-4 success against Luke Forbes of Suffolk.

Jordan completed his hat-trick of final appearances with a second-place finish in the National Clay Court finals at Welwyn Garden City.

As soon as he completes his Wimbledon trip, Jordan will be returning to competitive action and he is travelling to Bibioni in Italy next month for an ETA competition before returning to the UK for an international team tournament at Queenswood School in Hertfordshire.