Following the success of its inaugural Winter and Summer Mini-Masters tennis series, Flybe, the UK’s Number One Domestic airline and Europe’s largest regional carrier, has today announced its sponsorship of the Flybe Mini-Masters Winter Series 2010-11 in conjunction with the Cornwall and Devon Lawn Tennis County Associations. Continuing its commitment to local junior tennis across the region, Flybe’s popular seasonal tennis programme has been hugely successful in inspiring and encouraging young people across the region to get involved reporting a threefold increase in those taking part since the initiative was launched last year.

The Flybe Mini Masters competition is open to all young tennis players up to the age of 10 years old regardless of whether or not they are existing tennis club members.  Qualifying matches started last month at 14 tennis centres throughout Devon and Cornwall.

The Finals will be held in March 2011 where the top eight players from each county and age group (8U; 9U and 10U) will battle it out on the courts to win the prize of flights for a family of four to any Flybe destination with winners and runners-up winning a Tennis Masterclass with Flybe tennis ambassador, Lucie Ahl, England’s former Number 1 Womens’ player.

Simon Lilley, Flybe’s Director of Marketing, said: “We are delighted to again sponsor the Winter series of the Flybe Mini Masters that continues to put junior tennis on the map. We are no strangers to championing sporting events in local communities and are confident that this third Mini Masters tournament will further encourage and inspire even more potential champions to hit their local tennis courts in the upcoming months.”

Local tennis star and Flybe tennis ambassador Lucie Ahl, who has supported the tournament since its inception added:  “It’s fantastic news that Flybe is continuing to run the Mini Masters. The last two seasons have been a huge success and has given the players such an extra bonus to work hard for the winning prizes on offer. I was so impressed with the standard and attitude of all the players that won through to attend the previous Masterclasses I took and I look forward to following the results of the 2010-11 winter season.”