ALMOST £10,000 of lottery money has been awarded to Ripley Lawn Tennis Club to help them provide free coaching for children.
The Tennis in the Valley project received the Big Lottery Fund cash to offer tennis to youngsters in Amber Valley for the next year.
The club, in Heage Road, said it planned to use the £9,860 to run events including three weeks of tennis camps this summer.
Dean Latham, of the club, said the funding was very welcome. He said: "We will be able to use this money to provide opportunities for children around Amber Valley – particularly those who have never played before.
"We're hoping to introduce people to the sport over the next year and hopefully make a difference in people's lives, getting them healthier and fitter.
"And, because this money is for us to provide sessions for free, we are hoping to encourage whole families to come along to the club whenever they can."
The week-long tennis camps are from Monday, August 8, Monday, August 15, and Monday, August 29. Children aged 5 to 17 who take part will attend for one hour on five days of their week.
Anyone interested should e-mail their name, age, school and the week they would like to take part to dean.latham3@btopenworld.com