Up and Coming Tennis Star Alicia Does The Starr Trust Proud at Wimbledon 2021

Following all the excitement of The Championships, Wimbledon 2021, the Starr Trust has received personal messages and updates from 18 year old Starr Alicia, who has been playing in the Wimbledon Junior Singles and Doubles this season.

Alicia was supported by the Trust in her earlier years when she needed support to help with her coaching fees and confidence building. At the age of just 18, Alicia has already had some fantastic successes including; 18U Junior National Doubles Title in June and reaching round 3 in the pre Wimbledon Junior International in Roehampton, where she lost out to the eventual finalist.She was then awarded a wild card to Junior Wimbledon where she was the only British girl to reach the quarter final, losing to the World No. 1 in 3 sets. This was an amazing end to her junior tennis career, which she finishes ranked around 168 in the world (after just 2 tournaments).

After finishing playing at Wimbledon this month, Alicia wrote to the Starr Trust;

"There aren’t enough words to describe how much the Starr Trust have changed my life. You believed in me when other people didn’t and funded the extra training I needed to progress to the next level and this has given me the opportunity to compete against the top players in the world. You have shown me unwavering support over the years which has given me so much confidence and I will remember it forever and I will always be so grateful for that! Thank you Starr Trust"

The Starr Trust asked Claire Jarman, Alicia’s former Principal at Cardinal Newman School, for comment;

"From day 1 of starting in Year 7 at Cardinal Newman Catholic School, Alicia demonstrated the commitment, drive and determination that makes a true champion. She had to miss lessons at the start and end of certain days in order to practice and train but not once did she fail to catch up with the school work she had missed. This continued throughout her seven years with us so that by Year 13 she was balancing the demands of her A levels with high level competition and training but was always, always, so unfailingly positive, hardworking and grateful for the opportunities she was given. She truly embodies our school principles of caritas (love) excellence and togetherness and we could not be prouder of all she is achieving now and we know, will go on to achieve. Well done Alicia and thank you for all you brought to Newman."

‍Rob Starr, Chairman of the Starr Trust proudly said:

"Seeing Alicia playing at Wimbledon against some of the world’s best tennis stars makes us hugely proud. Alicia is a wonderful example of the amazing things young people can accomplish with a little bit of extra support at the right time and is an inspiration to all. We are all cheering Alicia on and will be keenly following her journey and celebrating all her successes here at the Starr Trust!" Alicia will now move to the University of Florida playing for the world famous Florida Gators to continue and progress her tennis career.