It was after finding her dad’s racquet as a child that Sophie Cousins first fell in love with tennis

The Ashville College tennis coach has spent her whole life invested in the sport, one way or another.

But it was not until recently that she became immersed in the ever growing sport of padel tennis.

The last 18 months have been a whirlwind for Sophie. From first stepping foot on a padel court for the first time to representing her country at an international tournament.

For her, the sport is addictive and one which she cannot get enough of.

Picking up the racquet

Born and raised in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, Sophie was brought up in a sporting family. Her first interaction with tennis came when she found her dad’s old racquet at home.

“I had a very sporting family, so we were always playing games at home.

“I actually found my dad’s old tennis racquet. It was one of those wooden racquets in a press and I asked: ‘what’s this?’ And that’s how tennis started and we used to play all the time in the back garden.”

Her dad took her to a local club and she began to improve.

She began playing in junior tournaments and would travel to places like Solihull, Nottingham and abroad to compete. Among them was the junior Wimbledon pre-qualifiers, which she competed in aged 18.

Sophie would also try to qualify for the Sunday Telegraph Masters tournament, which was held in Boca Raton, Florida, and La Manga in Spain.

“It [the tournament] was such a huge incentive for juniors.”

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She grew up watching the likes of Steffi Graf and Rafael Nadal competing at the highest level of tennis. She still points to them to this day as examples of model professional athletes.

When Sophie turned 18, she began competing in more international tournaments and tried to work her way up the rankings.

She enrolled at Loughborough University, but her progress in tennis was halted by recurring knee injuries.

By this point, she also wanted to focus on her degree. As a result, tennis began to fall by the wayside.

“I had worked so hard to get into Loughborough, that’s where I always wanted to go to do sport science. I did not want to be going off playing tournaments at that stage. I wanted to concentrate on my degree.

“I knew I wasn’t going to be playing tennis as a career. I had contemplated going to America and going through that system and getting a scholarship.”

She continued to coach tennis after university and had a stint as an estate agent in London before moving into teaching, first at Harrogate Grammar School and then at Skipton Girls School.

She moved to Ashville College in Harrogate in 2014. It was here some years later where she was first introduced to the growing sport of padel.

Immersed in padel

Padel tennis first came into the picture 18 months ago.

Angela Crossley, a Wetherby-based tennis coach and now Sophie’s padel partner, first introduced her to the sport.

When Sophie joined Ashville, she struck up a friendship with Angela and they would work offering students sessions in the summer and helping to grow the tennis programme at the college.

One day, Angela brought up the subject of padel with her.

“She asked me: ‘Have you tried padel? I think you would be quite good at it’.

“I remember her hitting a ball, it coming off the back glass and shooting about two metres in front of me and I just looked at her and said: ‘What you expect me to hit that?’”

Sophie and her padel partner, Angela, at the World Championships in Spain.

The sport has surged in popularity across the UK. In Harrogate, padel tennis courts have opened at Hornbeam Park, Harrogate Spa Tennis Club and Harrogate Sports and Fitness Club.

Last year, Ripon Tennis Club unveiled two new courts at a cost of £180,000 following a wave of support from residents and businesses.

To date, the Lawn Tennis Association estimates that the UK has 175,000 active padel tennis players.

The interest in the sport is huge, but, for Sophie, the country is still finding its feet competitively.

“Padel has exploded in this country. But everybody is still very much finding their feet.

“Some players have come from squash, they’re a bit more comfortable with the ball pinging off the walls but they’re not as comfortable at the net. Whereas, in tennis we have got more transferability from the volleying and the net gain. But we need to learn to love and embrace the glass a bit more.”

Fast forward to April this year and Sophie was competing for Great Britain at the International Padel Federation’s Seniors World Championship in La Nucia in Spain.

Team GB women went on to finish a commendable ninth place out of 22 countries.

Joined by Angela, the competition was fierce – not least because the European countries had been familiar with the sport a lot longer than the UK.

For Sophie, the experience was vital and one that she hopes will continue in years to come.

“You watch teams from Argentina and Spain who have been playing for years and they know where the ball is going.

“Whereas we are still playing quite reactive. They just read the ball so well because they have played for years.”

‘Prepare to be addicted’

Sophie hardly plays regular tennis competitively anymore, but still coaches from time to time.

Despite tennis taking a backseat recently, she still describes it as a “sport for life” and one that can be taken up at any age.

When asked whether she finds that she enjoys padel more than tennis, Sophie says the mental side of padel is a huge draw for her.

“I enjoy the mental side of it. I enjoy the strategy of trying to work out how to unpick a problem and how you are going to win the point or manipulate the space.

“It makes you think a lot more than tennis.”

She points out that there is more to padel than just playing the game. There is also a social aspect to it, she says, which stems from its growth in Spain and South America.

“I’d definitely encourage people to have a go at padel. Prepare to be addicted.”

If you have any local sporting figures who you think should be featured in Sporting Spotlight, contact calvin@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Bamber & Brown is in an ideal location for a drink or bite to eat pre- or post-walk through the wooded valley of Birk Crag, but many don’t know that it exists. Until now.

And given the last few weeks the news in the locality has been all about the opening of The Harrogate Arms, which is only open to RHS visitors, this will be welcome news to many.

Other than Betty’s Harlow Carr or The Pine Marten, you might not think there’s anywhere else to eat and drink in the area. But fret not, there is Bamber & Brown.

And even though it’s been open since 2021 and was Highly Commended in the 2023 Stray Ferret Business Awards for Business Growth, you might not have heard of it as it’s still somewhat of a hidden gem to some.

To find it, simply follow the road that leads you to Betty’s Harlow Carr – Crag Lane – and continue, and you’ll find it on the right-hand side. It’s hard not to miss as there’s a huge tipi in the grounds from which you can enjoy food and drink.

Selling freshly brewed speciality coffee from a converted horse box along with other hot drinks, it also serves homemade cakes – its carrot cake is one of the most popular offerings – while ice cream, pastries, smoked salmon bagels and bacon and egg sandwiches are just some of what else is on the menu.

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And if you fancy a tipple or two, its new bar serves wine and beer from another converted horse box.

And from this weekend, wood-fired pizzas can be enjoyed on weekends and special occasions over the summer on its new decking, and it will also be serving its ice lattes and milkshakes that prove popular over the warmer months.

Owner Phillipa Brown has also said she will open for ad hoc warm evenings over the summer – just keep an eye on its social media accounts as for when.

Philippa said of why she decided to start her business:

“I wanted to bring back the historical old tea rooms at Birk Crag in some way  – war veterans used to drink tea on the nearby Crag – and decided a few years ago that now that my children have grown up, to go for it. And since then, it’s just expanded and expanded.”

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A Harrogate-born gymnast has won silver at the European Championships.

Harry Hepworth, 20, was part of the Great Britain men’s artistic gymnastic team which competed at the tournament in Rimini, Italy, this past weekend.

Great Britain led heading into the final stage before being pipped to gold by Ukraine, who recorded an overall score of 255.762.

Harry, along with his teammates Courtney Tulloch, Jake Jarman, Joe Fraser and James Hall won silver with a score of 255.249.

Andrew Hepworth, Harry’s dad, told the Stray Ferret that he was delighted with his son’s performance.

He said:

“I am delighted for him. It has been a long journey and it has not been straight forward at all.

“There has been ups and downs. He has been resilient and stuck to it.”

Mr Hepworth added that Harry now has his eye on securing an Olympic spot in Paris this summer.

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A Harrogate businessman has narrowly avoided jail after breaking a man’s jaw with a single punch – apparently because the unsuspecting victim was wearing an orange hat.

Robert Darling, 27, who was unknown to the victim, sidled up to the man who was sat talking to friends outside a pub in Starbeck and struck him to the side of the face, knocking him to the ground.

Prosecutor Sam Roxborough told York Crown Court it was a split-second, “entirely unprovoked” attack for which there was still no explanation as there had been no animosity between the parties and they were strangers.

Tests in hospital showed that the victim had a broken jawbone. Doctors inserted bands into his jaw which meant the victim was unable to eat solid food.

The “bizarre” incident occurred outside the Prince of Wales pub in High Street at about 11.30pm on March 24 last year, just after Darling had been “play-fighting” with his mate.

“[The victim] was sat at a table outside the front of the Prince of Wales pub in Harrogate, speaking with friends,” said Mr Roxborough.

“As he was talking to his friends, the defendant punched him to the side of the face. That was entirely unprovoked and the (victim) did not see the punch coming as he was facing in the opposite direction.

“The impact knocked him off his seat and onto the floor. He felt immediate pain to the side of his face.”

After the man got back to his feet, Darling, from Killinghall, returned, shook his hand, hugged him and apologised, even offering him the chance “to punch him back”.

The victim, fearing further violence, promptly left the pub, reported the matter to police and gave them a description of his attacker.

An officer recognised Darling from CCTV footage of the attack as he had been involved in a “previous police incident”, although he had no previous convictions.

Darling, a self-employed electrician who ran his own business, was arrested and charged with wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm. He admitted the offence and appeared for sentence today.

Mr Roxborough said the victim took himself to hospital three days after the attack after his jaw began to swell and he was unable to open his mouth. Tests showed he had a fracture to the side of his jaw and he was referred for consultation with a facial-surgery team.

Defence barrister Ian Hudson said that Darling, a married father-of-two, could offer “no explanation” for the “very unusual” incident.

Judge Simon Hickey told the defendant:

“The pub is well-known in Harrogate. There were lots of people milling around and other people walking in the street.

“CCTV footage shows you in a white shirt play-fighting with another friend in a black shirt. You both seem to exchange some words… and then you turn and face your unfortunate victim who is simply wearing an orange hat and dressed differently to you.”

Mr Hickey said it was hard to fathom why Darling would “walk several paces” up to a man he had never met before and “inflict one heavy blow to his face which knocks him off his chair and his feet”.

Notwithstanding the fact that Darling was “extremely drunk”, the only feasible explanation for the attack was that the victim was “dressed differently to you” and was conspicuous by his orange hat, added the judge.

However, Mr Hickey said he had also noted glowing character references which spoke of Darling as a hard-working man whose behaviour that day was out of character. He had no previous convictions and was the main breadwinner for his family.

He said it had been a “close-run thing”, but he had decided to give Darling a chance to stay out of jail.

Darling, of Heather Court, received an eight-month prison sentence, but this was suspended for 18 months. He was told he would have to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and complete 15 rehabilitation-activity days, along with a 120-day alcohol-monitoring programme.

He was ordered to pay the victim £2,500 compensation.

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An area near Harrogate was yesterday cordoned off after a WWII bullet was found.

In a statement by North Yorkshire Police, the force said the “live bullet” was found yesterday (May 2) on Law Lane, in Shaw Mills.

Police said a family, who were walking on a footpath, “stumbled” across the live bullet and another “not so obvious” metal object on the ground.

Officers were called at around 5.10pm.

The statement added:

“To be safe the area was briefly cordoned off and items safely disposed of by bomb disposal.”

No further information has been revealed.

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A repair café is to open in Harrogate.

The initiative, which is part of an international movement, promotes repairing items as an alternative to throwing things away.

People are encouraged to come along with broken items and get them fixed on the spot with the help of volunteer repairers.

There are over 2,500 repair cafés worldwide, with the closest ones currently in Leeds and Thirsk. The initiative was created by Dutch woman Martine Postma and the first repair café event took place in Amsterdam in 2009.

The Harrogate café is looking for residents with different skills to act as repair experts during the monthly meetings.

Organisers are seeking people who can repair clothing, textiles, electrical appliances, electronics, jewellery, and furniture, wooden objects.

Volunteers are also needed to act as hosts at the meetings; to serve as a contact point for visitors and repairers, as well as serving refreshments.

William Sanders, organiser of Harrogate Repair Café, said:

“Following the success of similar projects in Leeds, We’re excited to put Harrogate on the map of a huge and growing network of repair cafés.

“We’d love to stop things going to landfill, by helping the community to get things fixed, as well as giving volunteers the rewarding opportunity to meet like-minded people and share their skills.”

The Harrogate Repair Café group on Facebook was created last week and already has already amassed over 200 members. Mr Sanders said he was “very pleased” by the response.

Mr Sanders is an events organiser from Harrogate who began volunteering at the Leeds Repair Café.

He specialises in fixing electrical items and said the café often se people bring items such as clothes, coffee machines, hair straighteners and air fryers.

He added:

“I thought it would be something good for Harrogate. The town needs some more community based things and Harrogate has the right demographic. At the Leeds Repair Café we see a lot of older people or people with mobility issues with lots of things that need repairing.”

“At the moment my main focus is on looking for handy people to become volunteers. It is a great opportunity and gives people a chance to use their skills in a positive way. It is really fun and is such as rewarding process.”

An open meeting is being held for anyone interested in getting involved at the Friends Meeting House on Queen Parade in Harrogate at 3pm on Saturday, May 18, Mr Sanders said he hoped 20 to 30 people would attend.

The Harrogate Repair Café is also seeking sponsors to help donate towards expenses such as PAT tests and insurance.

Anyone interested in getting involved can contact the repair café at harrogaterepaircafe@gmail.com.

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A man has been arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill on a Harrogate road last night (May 1).

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today firearms officers were called to Woodfield Drive at about 7.40pm after receiving a concern for safety report.

In a statement, the force told the Stray Ferret the man, 40, was arrested on suspicion of “making threats to kill and possession an offensive weapon”.

Officers from the firearms support unit were alerted to the scene and “safely carried out the arrest”.

The statement added:

“The man was taken into custody for questioning.

“Reassurance patrols are taking place in the neighbourhood as the investigation continues.

“Anyone with information or footage of the incident is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 4, and speak to the Force Control Room.

“Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or make an online report.”

Quote reference 12240076217 when passing on information.

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This story is sponsored by Cundall Manor School. 

Ensuring your child thrives in an environment that fosters and uplifts them throughout their educational journey should be the standard when seeking a school.

Cundall Manor School prides itself on excelling in providing an environment that fosters a love of learning and enables each of its pupils to be the best version of themselves.

Prospective students and parents can experience what the Cundall community have deemed ‘the Cundall magic’ themselves, at an open morning on Friday May 10, 2024, from 9.30am onwards.

About Cundall

(Image: Cundall Manor School)

Cundall is a co-educational, independent school for boys and girls, between the ages of 2 and 16 years old. Situated in 28 acres of picturesque landscape between Ripon and Thirsk, it has been providing an education to children in the region and beyond for over half a century.

Cundall has established its reputation as an aspirational place that aims to create well-rounded individuals ready to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

A happy, safe, and stimulating environment 

(Image: Cundall Manor School)

The idyllic nursery environment and school offers a tailored, bespoke approach to education for each child, for them to flourish in the areas they love, and be supported in those they need additional help in. Small class sizes allow for individual attention.

While academic excellence is one of the cornerstones of Cundall, there’s also a great emphasis placed upon creating a ‘character curriculum’ – where academia and enrichment programmes are intertwined concepts, held in equal regard.

Pupils are presented with a vibrant school calendar of activities that broaden their horizons and enrich their experiences throughout their school life.

(Image: Cundall Manor School)

Alongside dynamic classroom teaching, pupils embark on thrilling day trips and excursions regularly, both locally and abroad such as the challenge of completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks and Ben Nevis, international exchange programmes with European schools and volunteering in Morocco for their end of year trip to mention just a few.

The Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award is also compulsory for students to undertake, as Cundall believes it directly complements its ethos of CODE – challenge, ownership, dialogue, and engagement. Many students are inspired to then go on and complete their Silver Awards before embarking on their GCSEs.

Sport is also a huge part of school life; with access to expansive grass sports pitches, Astro Turf , a swimming pool and tennis courts, Cundall has many teams that children can get involved with, at all levels of abilities. Teamwork is a key ethos of the school – children play, learn, develop and mature within a strong year group unit.

The open morning

(Image: Cundall Manor School)

To find out more about the holistic educational experience that Cundall offers its pupils from nursery through to senior school, parents are invited to attend the next open day, on Friday, May 10, from 9.30am.

A parent of a Cundall pupil commented:

“Cundall encourages children’s strengths to flourish, so that they thrive and excel in those areas'”

Find out more:

The next open day at Cundall Manor is Friday, May 10, 2024 from 9.30am onwards.

To find out more, visit the website, call 01423 360 200, or register your interest in attending the morning here. 

North Yorkshire Council has given an update on work to repair the A59 at Kex Gill.

The road, which is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton, closed suddenly on February 2 when a crack appeared on the verge.

Repair work costing £750,000 began on April 15.

Karl Battersby (pictured above), the council’s corporate director of environment, said in a 57-second video yesterday it was still hoped the road would re-open by the end of June.

He said:

“We know this has caused significant disruption and we acknowledge that in a different environment that we’d have got on site quicker to do these repairs.

“But we’ve had to do a number of survey works to make sure what we do doesn’t cause us a problem in terms of the current road but also doesn’t cause a problem in terms of the new road being constructed.”

Machinery on site

Mr Battersby said a piling rig was putting large metal poles into the side of the road to stabilise it. The road will then be resurfaced.

He added:

“We will be doing weekend working and extended day working to try to keep within that deadline.”

Irish construction firm Sisk, which is carrying out the nearby £68.8 million three-mile realignment, was appointed to oversee the repair work, with Ivor King carrying out the piling.

The crack was caused by a landslip which the council attributed to wet weather but some residents have claimed it is due to the impact of the realignment on the landscape.

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