Tennis aces from Cwmbran, Chepstow and Usk have been recognised in the first Tennis Wales Awards at a special ceremony involving former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash and other stars of the game. The first Tennis Wales Awards, sponsored by Clarke & Hartland solicitors and the Serious Food Company in association with the Elemis Invitational Trophy, took place at the Celtic Manor Resort Hotel, Newport at the weekend. The winners included Philip Cochrane, of Cwmbran, who was named Disabilities Player of the Year; Mike Rees, of Chepstow, Official of the Year; and Usk Tennis Club, Tennis Club of the Year. Philip Cochrane, aged 13, from Cwmbran, is an outstanding wheelchair tennis player, ranked third in Britain and seventh in the world - among players aged up to 18. He is the youngest ever winner of the B Division singles at the GB National Championships and has achieved numerous successes in Britain and overseas. Mike Rees has been refereeing in Wales for 20 years, refereeing events ranging from match play in Tredegar Park, Newport, to the Welsh Junior Championships. He was praised for his commitment and dedication, as well as "a calm and authoritative manner which gains him instant respect." Usk Tennis Club has virtually doubled its membership in the last three years to become a vibrant community of some 200 adults and children. The club prides itself as "the friendliest in Wales" and it is also now enjoying success in competition. Having brought in £5,000 in sponsorship, it is using the money to provide free coaching for juniors and has ambitions for more courts and further expansion. "There are almost 12,000 members of tennis clubs throughout Wales - so these winners really are outstanding individuals and organisations," said Tennis Wales chief executive Peter Hybart. "The Awards evening has proved to be an excellent way to celebrate the fantastic work being done by thousands of people for the benefit of tennis in Wales and the many successes which Welsh tennis has enjoyed this year." The presentation ceremony was hosted by Sam Lloyd of ITV Wales, and included a question-and- answer session with Pat Cash, Jeremy Bates, Cedric Pioline and Paul Haarhuis, who were playing in the Elemis Invitational Trophy at the Celtic Manor.