Pictured: Bill Devitt, a partner at Chantrey Vellacott DFK
in Birmingham, preparing to represent Britain in the European
Senior Club Championships for the over 45s
The new head of an accountancy firm's education division is
hoping to teach Europe a lesson in tennis when he takes on the
continent's best in a prestigious tournament.
Bill Devitt, a partner at Chantrey Vellacott DFK in Birmingham
and newly-appointed head of the firm's Education Group, will be
competing in the European Senior Club Championships for the over
45s.
Bill is in a squad of seven from Leamington Lawn Tennis Club to
be representing Britain in the competition which will be held in
Spain from September 7-11.
The tournament is a rare opportunity for Europe's best players
to take part in an international team competition and it is the
first time that Leamington, the oldest lawn tennis club in the
world, has qualified to take part.
They will be up against the top teams from Austria, Switzerland,
Italy, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands in singles and doubles
matches.
Bill, aged 49, who lives in Kenilworth, said: "It means a lot to
us old boys. Quite a few of us have played at county level in
years gone by, but to be representing Britain at our age is a great
honour and a thrill.
"For me personally, it's fantastic as I have never before had
the opportunity to play in an overseas competition although I have
played plenty of tennis in the UK."
Bill represented Hereford and Worcester from junior level and
captained the county's under-18s, men's and over-35s teams.
At the height of his tennis at under-18s, Bill played in all
three major British junior events, coming up against the likes of
future Davis Cup captain Jeremy Bates, and reached the
quarter-finals in the doubles at Wimbledon.
Bill said: "Everyone at Chantrey Vellacott DFK has been
extremely supportive and is willing us all on, although we have got
no expectations of doing particularly well in the tournament.
"It's on European clay which plays very differently to the
courts that we have been brought up on. Nevertheless, it's going to
be a tremendous experience and if we happen to win a game, it will
be a bonus."
The team, which will be representing Britain along with
Leicestershire Lawn Tennis Club, will be captained by Martyn Todd
and includes James Marsden, Nigel Lewis, Jonathan Hofstetter,
Julian Pollard and Richard Butler.