White Hart Lane Lawn Tennis Club in East Haringey is a thriving centre of tennis activity, a year on from being awarded ‘Beacon’ status by the Tennis Foundation and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) as part of the AEGON Parks Tennis programme.
The club joins 94 sites across the country to have achieved 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.
Since receiving the award White Hart Lane has firmly established itself as one of the area’s leading tennis providers. Participation levels are on the rise and the facility is playing a crucial role in developing the sport across the region.
Tennis programmes are run for all ages and abilities at White Hart Lane Lawn Tennis Club and across East Haringey, including a school outreach programme in 20 schools with 1,000 children receiving at least eight hours of tennis coaching per year. This is in addition to providing an opportunity for children in local neighbourhoods to register for free, weeklong tennis courses on the playing facilities on housing estates and parks.
Siwan Stephens, Head Coach and Tennis Development Officer at White Hart Lane Tennis Club said: “Working in partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and the London Borough of Haringey we have taken tennis out in to the community and we have worked hard to build up our tennis club from scratch with the aim to produce future tennis champions.”
Jemima Fleming, Tennis Development Manager for Middlesex added: “The success of the programme at White Hart Lane Lawn Tennis Club is a testament to the team’s passion and commitment to provide a fun, affordable tennis experience all year round.
“Since being awarded ‘Beacon’ status, the site has become a cornerstone for tennis in the local community and serves as an excellent example for other community tennis facilities to follow.
“Through AEGON Parks Tennis, the LTA is working with its partners to drive participation and improve access to tennis around the country. Tennis is a sport you can play throughout your life and is the ideal sport to enhance community cohesion.”
AEGON Parks Tennis is delivered by the LTA in partnership with the Tennis Foundation as part of British Tennis’ commitment to widen access to tennis and grow the game 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.
To find out where your nearest court is, visit: www.lta.org.uk/playtennis
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