Kelvingrove Park has been awarded with the prestigious ‘Beacon’ award by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Tennis Foundation and become the 200th site in the country to be included onto the AEGON Parks Tennis programme.
The Kelvingrove Park site has been selected as the landmark site to achieve the national accolade, which recognises the best community-focussed facilities offering free and affordable tennis.
To achieve this status, facilities must also offer access to quality, affordable coaching as well as regular competitions for all ages and abilities. Glasgow Life operate and manage the facilities and programmes at Kelvingrove and organised the day's activities to mark the awarding of beacon status.
The Beacon plaque was presented to Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council and Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games, Councillor Archie Graham, by AEGON Head of Sponsorship and Events, Ian Murray.
Archie Graham said: “This award of Beacon status to Kelvingrove Park Tennis Courts demonstrates our commitment to the provision of free and affordable high-quality coaching sessions.
“Our development programme is making tennis more accessible and increasing participation in communities across the city and Kelvingrove is right at the very heart of this.
“At the same time we are also investing in our facilities and developing a coaching programme for schools.”
As part of the celebrations at Kelvingrove Park, pupils from nearby Hillhead Primary School took part in a tennis coaching session while there was a ‘Get Active’ programme demonstration. Get Active is a new programme in partnership with the Scottish Association for Mental Health.
Ian Murray added: “We are delighted to be continuing our support of the AEGON Parks Tennis programme and rewarding those sites which have improved their facilities and are offering affordable tennis, helping to make the sport more accessible to all.
“Kelvingrove Park is a superb tennis facility and I’m thrilled they have achieved the honour of being awarded the 200th Beacon by the LTA and Tennis Foundation.”
The presentation was also supported by Tennis Scotland, with CEO David Marshall attending the event at Kelvingrove Park.
The AEGON Parks Tennis programme aims to increase community access to tennis in parks and communities nationwide. Delivered by the LTA and Tennis Foundation, AEGON Parks Tennis is a key programme in British Tennis’ drive to increase participation and grow tennis at all levels. The long-term aim is to have an AEGON Parks Tennis site acting as a centre of community tennis excellence in each of the local authority areas in Britain.