LTA boost for Hurst Green (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

LTA boost for Hurst Green

9:37am Friday 27th November 2009 in

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The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) today announced over £85,000 worth of investment into Matchpoint Tennis UK to help build four floodlit macadam courts at their facility in Hurst Green, Surrey.

The three-month long project which will begin in January next year has received the funding to help the club build its player base through increased club membership as part of the LTA’s bigger drive to get more people playing the game. The new facilities gives the club a base to operate from and increase the delivery of tennis within the area for the foreseeable future.

Club Chairman Graeme Livingstone said: “The new development will be the launch pad for our vision to combine a successful and profitable club with a vibrant and versatile coaching programme. Our aim is to build a tennis club with the community at the heart of it and to create an environment where players can develop a passion for tennis.

“We want to support and encourage all levels of players from top competitors to enthusiastic club members. The new facilities will greatly benefit the coaching of over 370 juniors a week, whilst players will be able to access coaching at the new centre without being members or incurring any extra charge; providing more people with a stepping stone into tennis.”

Matt James, LTA UK Head of Performance added “We are delighted to be investing £86,750 in these new facilities for Matchpoint Tennis UK so that they can attract more players.

“Improving and increasing the number of facilities for the whole community is an integral aspect of the LTA’s overarching plan for British Tennis.

“We are making major investments in grassroots and the community to boost participation alongside our ongoing work to increase success at the top level of the sport.”

The funding has been provided as part of British Tennis’ Places to Play strategy which has received substantial investment from the Government and National Lottery through Sport England’s Whole Sport Plan funding for tennis. This makes a crucial contribution to tennis’ drive to increase the opportunities for people to participate, compete and get access to coaching at all levels of the game in communities nationwide.

The LTA makes financial support available through its resources and ensures investments will deliver the maximum return for British Tennis through more people playing and more hours on the court across Britain. There will be an increase in the number and standard of facilities throughout the UK which will be available to the whole community at a reasonable, affordable cost.