Lighting up tennis in Romsey
Romsey and Abbey Tennis Club has unveiled its new state-of-the-art floodlights after benefiting from a Community Asset Fund grant from Test Valley Borough Council.
This follows the recent resurfacing of all of the courts and the recruitment of an internationally renowned head coach to run a comprehensive coaching programme at the club.
The club, based at Romsey Sports Centre, received a £25,000 boost from the council alongside a £20,000 grant from the LTA.
On March 30, the club celebrated with an open event to showcase the new floodlighting purchased with the funds which will help to increase capacity, ensuring more people can enjoy the courts.
Club chair, Veronica Broughton-Shaw, said: “The funding that we have received from the council and the LTA has been a huge boost in helping us to achieve a new standard of facility, and to provide services for all the community.
“We are very keen to engage with the residents of Romsey and to encourage as many people as possible to participate in sport-based activities at Romsey and Abbey Tennis Club. We have sessions for people who have never played before, including ‘Tennis for Kids’, ‘Cardio’ and ‘Tennis Xpress’ for adults. We also have advanced training and matches for the more experienced players.
“We have had so much support from the council and the LTA and this wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
Rob Peters, LTA Participation Development Partner, said: “It’s fantastic to see the club go from strength to strength. Introducing ‘pay and play’ opportunities through a new online court booking system in 2017, to now floodlighting two additional courts. We very much look forward to working with the club going forward to open up tennis to the community.”
Organisations in Test Valley can apply to the Community Asset Fund for a grant of up to £25,000. Applicants can submit bids for 50 per cent of the cost of a project that provides or improves important community activities or facilities.