Sodbury named tennis club of the year

SODBURY Tennis Club has been named Club of the Year by Avon Tennis.

The LTA-backed award is based on criteria such as coaching, member and community engagement and opportunities to play.

The club at the Ridings, in St Johns Way, received the award in recognition of its inclusive approach to coaching for adults and juniors, the wide range of opportunities to play and links with local schools and charity groups.

Avon Tennis secretary Clive Sampson said: "The standard of entries this year was really high and I would like to congratulate all the winners.

"It is heartening to reward those who put so much effort into providing opportunities for others to play and enjoy tennis."

Sodbury runs a full coaching programme for adults and children of all ages throughout the year and the coaching team works closely with local schools, with junior league teams.

Last year club members and volunteers completed a project to create a new games area, which includes a mini-tennis court, table tennis table, basketball net and tennis wall, to encourage more young people to participate in sport and create an area that can be used throughout the year.

The club encourages members to participate in league tennis to develop their skills and now has one of, if not the largest entry in the Avon LTA leagues, with nine men’s and eight women’s summer league teams plus five mixed winter league teams.

There are also national league teams, internal leagues and a variety of club competitions, offering competitive play for members of all abilities.

There are also more relaxed weekly social tennis sessions, including walking tennis, and the club has started working with charity Bright Ideas in Tennis to expand inclusive tennis for adults and children with learning, sensory and physical disabilities.

Club chair Kathy Ryan said: "For the club to receive this award is an amazing achievement. It is testament to the dedication of the volunteers from the membership, who give up their time to assist in the smooth running of the club to make it what it is.

"I would also like to mention and thank our members who contributed so much time and effort to construct the new games area that enhances the club facilities for everyone to enjoy."

The club will now go forward to a regional competition, the winners of which will be announced in April.

The club is running a free junior open day on March 26 from 9am-noon for children aged 4+ and their parents.

For more details email coachcaseley@hotmail.co.uk.

Ann Mora