Within tennis we have become accustomed to the sporting siblings, the William sisters, the Bryan brothers and the Murray brothers, and there now could be another edition. However there are three of them; Emily, Amy and Beth help make up ‘team Askew’ and more importantly they are young British and extremely talented.
It is not sure that they will all make it in the senior game at this stage however they are making an impression on the county scene already, helping the Lancashire Ladies Team secure the Winter County Cup for only the second time in their history. That side was nicknamed ‘Team Askew’, as they tore apart the rest of the competition last weekend, with the help of the three sisters.
The team of sisters look destined to power on through the amateur game and into professional tennis. At the ages of 16, 15 and 13 and having already made appearances for their County and even Great Britain, it promises great things.
The girls were made in Liverpool but their tennis trade was bred in Lancashire at the highly regarded South Ribble Tennis and Fitness Centre in Preston (Click for Map). They have played at many clubs across the North West but this seems to be establishing itself as their home. Head Coach at the club Brendan McGuire believes they are at the right club, saying: “it is one of the best tennis clubs in the country. It’s been consistent in its performance. Top coaches, good friendly environment, so as far as centre’s go I would put it up there with the best.”
Support has come from the LTA to fund their programs. Demonstrating the LTA’s confidence and belief in the three girls, who are coached by different coaches within the club. Emily Askew is coached by Jane O’Donoghue, who featured at Wimbledon as a player, while Amy is coached by Danielle Hock, who is an experienced member of Lancashire Ladies team. The only player directly coached by head coach Brendan McGuire is the youngest Beth Askew, and is possibly the likeliest out of the three to make a big impression within the game.
However without tremendous support from their loving parent they may not even have a future within the game. It takes thousands of pounds to develop a winning player from age 5 to age 18 and a majority of the cash comes out of the parents pockets. But both Joanne and Cliff Askew have work tirelessly to get them were they are now and don’t look to be holding back. Coach Brendan McGuire said that especially the father, Cliff, has had the magic formula from the word go, as he takes a lot of time out to help find out what is best for his girls to be the best they can be.
I spoke to Brendan McGuire to find out what his view is on each of the girls.
Through this interview it has become clear that Beth Askew looks to on her way to the very top, perhaps following the footsteps of fellow Brit Laura Robson, who has made rapid rise in the professional game. Beth is ahead of her years, “exceptional for her age. I haven’t met a 13 year old talent who can hit a ball like Beth. She reads the game particularly well, she’s a special talent”: said the proud Coach.
Even though Beth has been singled out as the great hope of Lancashire and British Tennis, it is still possible to have all three together at the top. Emily like Brendan said needs to compete more and gain confidence from winning, as she no doubt has the ability. While Amy has already had success with the Great British Junior Fed Cup team and individually, winning National Championships, so if she can stay away from the injuries that are hindering her at the moment, then it is possible that the Tennis world will be hearing a lot more about ‘team Askew’.
By Geoff Berkeley
Sunday 7 December 2008
Askew sisters inspire Lancashire Ladies to victory
Lancashire Ladies County Tennis side captured their first Winter County Cup in over 15 years. 
Nicknamed ‘Team Askew’ due to the inclusion of the three Askew sisters; Emily, Amy and Beth, all helped contribute to what was a phenomenal performance by the North West County.
The Winter County Cup is widely regarded within the amateur county game as the pinnacle. However the Lancashire Ladies swept aside all competition in the Group 1 Premier Division including Buckinghamshire, Nottinghamshire and their fiercest rivals Warwickshire, to lift their second major trophy in the last two years. This victory followed up their Summer County Cup win last year, which was their first ever summer event win in their 112 year history.
Captain Rachael Hyland was delighted with the sides display, she said: “I am ecstatic about the win. Considering until the end of 2006 we had only won one major event in 100 years, so in two years we have trebled our trophy cabinet. It’s fantastic”.
View Larger Map
The indoor courts of The University of Bath Tennis Club took stage to what was a tremendous competition set over last weekend. The first match began with a titanic battle between Lancashire and Warwickshire, who were considered the team to beat in this group, having previous won the last two Winter County Cup’s. However Lancashire stepped up to the challenge with vaguer and destroyed them. Beth Askew and Anjoli Fraser kicked off the tournament with a tight match. Beth began nervously in her first appearance, losing the first set 6-0, which is then where an experienced word of confidence from the captain helped lift her performance. Beth eventually rolled over her opponent in three sets, 0-6, 6-0, 6-4. From that moment on Lancashire took apart what was a strong side, winning all three doubles to secure a 7-2 victory. Rachael Hyland exclaimed: “This was an outstanding result against what are a tough side, especially in the doubles.”
Lancashire Ladies then turned on the style in their next match crushing their weakest competition Nottingham 9-0. Then on the final day they secured the title with a 7-2 triumph over Buckinghamshire to cap off a brilliant weekend.
Lancashire Ladies Results
Beat Warwickshire 7-2
Beat Nottinghamshire 9-0
Beat Buckinghamshire 7-2
Final Table
Group 1 - BATH
1.Lancashire 21pts
2.Warwickshire 15pts
3.Buckinghamshire 11pts
4.Nottinghamshire 3pts
The team has caused great hope within the Lancashire Tennis, especially due to the inclusion of three exciting young sisters. The Askew sisters are made up of Emily the eldest at 16, Amy at 14 and the youngest Beth at 13. And it was Beth that in some ways was a surprised selection considering her lower rating. However the Captain dismissed that the inclusion of Beth was down to sentimental reasons, saying: “As a captain I have to look at who is potentially the better player regardless of the ratings. I didn’t pick her for sentimental reasons because she is young and a prospect. I picked her because I want to win, and she did win.”
Skipper Rachael Hyland, aged 32 of Abbley Bridge, Lancashire has been a key part of the team’s success since taking over the captaincy post at the beginning of 2007. She has brought success to a county, who had previously been known for their near misses. While she has been part of those teams, during her 20 years with the county, she has also been part of a successful one. As she happened to be part of the Lancashire County side that last won the Winter County Cup in 1992, in what was her first appearance. This experience seemed to help inspire the side to a masterful display.
The victory in this weekend’s Winter County Cup in the style and manner they did it in (only losing just four rubbers) demonstrated the fact that Lancashire are the top side in the country. “We do not have as good a record as say a Surrey or a Warwickshire, who have won these events plenty of times. But after winning the way we did, I would say we are definitely in the top three, maybe even No.1”: beckoned a very proud captain.
By Geoff Berkeley
Nicknamed ‘Team Askew’ due to the inclusion of the three Askew sisters; Emily, Amy and Beth, all helped contribute to what was a phenomenal performance by the North West County.
The Winter County Cup is widely regarded within the amateur county game as the pinnacle. However the Lancashire Ladies swept aside all competition in the Group 1 Premier Division including Buckinghamshire, Nottinghamshire and their fiercest rivals Warwickshire, to lift their second major trophy in the last two years. This victory followed up their Summer County Cup win last year, which was their first ever summer event win in their 112 year history.
Captain Rachael Hyland was delighted with the sides display, she said: “I am ecstatic about the win. Considering until the end of 2006 we had only won one major event in 100 years, so in two years we have trebled our trophy cabinet. It’s fantastic”.
View Larger Map
The indoor courts of The University of Bath Tennis Club took stage to what was a tremendous competition set over last weekend. The first match began with a titanic battle between Lancashire and Warwickshire, who were considered the team to beat in this group, having previous won the last two Winter County Cup’s. However Lancashire stepped up to the challenge with vaguer and destroyed them. Beth Askew and Anjoli Fraser kicked off the tournament with a tight match. Beth began nervously in her first appearance, losing the first set 6-0, which is then where an experienced word of confidence from the captain helped lift her performance. Beth eventually rolled over her opponent in three sets, 0-6, 6-0, 6-4. From that moment on Lancashire took apart what was a strong side, winning all three doubles to secure a 7-2 victory. Rachael Hyland exclaimed: “This was an outstanding result against what are a tough side, especially in the doubles.”
Lancashire Ladies then turned on the style in their next match crushing their weakest competition Nottingham 9-0. Then on the final day they secured the title with a 7-2 triumph over Buckinghamshire to cap off a brilliant weekend.
Lancashire Ladies Results
Beat Warwickshire 7-2
Beat Nottinghamshire 9-0
Beat Buckinghamshire 7-2
Final Table
Group 1 - BATH
1.Lancashire 21pts
2.Warwickshire 15pts
3.Buckinghamshire 11pts
4.Nottinghamshire 3pts
The team has caused great hope within the Lancashire Tennis, especially due to the inclusion of three exciting young sisters. The Askew sisters are made up of Emily the eldest at 16, Amy at 14 and the youngest Beth at 13. And it was Beth that in some ways was a surprised selection considering her lower rating. However the Captain dismissed that the inclusion of Beth was down to sentimental reasons, saying: “As a captain I have to look at who is potentially the better player regardless of the ratings. I didn’t pick her for sentimental reasons because she is young and a prospect. I picked her because I want to win, and she did win.”
Skipper Rachael Hyland, aged 32 of Abbley Bridge, Lancashire has been a key part of the team’s success since taking over the captaincy post at the beginning of 2007. She has brought success to a county, who had previously been known for their near misses. While she has been part of those teams, during her 20 years with the county, she has also been part of a successful one. As she happened to be part of the Lancashire County side that last won the Winter County Cup in 1992, in what was her first appearance. This experience seemed to help inspire the side to a masterful display.
The victory in this weekend’s Winter County Cup in the style and manner they did it in (only losing just four rubbers) demonstrated the fact that Lancashire are the top side in the country. “We do not have as good a record as say a Surrey or a Warwickshire, who have won these events plenty of times. But after winning the way we did, I would say we are definitely in the top three, maybe even No.1”: beckoned a very proud captain.
By Geoff Berkeley
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