Andy Murray’s mum to promote tennis in St Albans City and District
Tennis ace Andy Murray’s mum will be helping to coach budding young tennis players next week when she visits St Albans City and District to promote the game following the devastating fire at the Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre in August.
Judy Murray, who coached Andy and his brother Jamie to the top of the tennis ladder, will be passing on tips to children attending a special evening training session at London Colney Recreation Centre, Perham Way on 6 October.
She will also be picking up a racket at a one-off Tots Tennis session on 7 October between 9.30am and 11.30am at Harpenden Sports Centre. A limited number of places on this final session are available to be booked on a first come, first served basis by calling 01582 767722.
Mandy Franks, who set up the tennis programme at Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre 23 years ago said: “We welcome Judy’s support towards the growth and awareness of tennis development in the District.”
Judy will also be visiting the Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre to see the work that is being done to prepare the site for the return of tennis later this year.
Following the fire on August 10, arrangements have been made for the tennis programme to be run at other facilities in the District, including at Harpenden Sports Centre.
The fire destroyed the main building at the Batchwood site, including the indoor courts.
The Council has since demolished the building and is preparing to erect a “bubble” structure over the remaining outside courts so that part of the Batchwood tennis programme can return to the site in October.
Councillor Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage for St Albans City and District Council, said: “It is great that Judy Murray is giving up her time to support tennis in the District by coming along to our facilities at Harpenden and London Colney and passing on tips to children attending the tennis sessions. As a Council, we are doing everything we can to progress our plans to rebuild Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre and the bowls and golf clubhouses which were both destroyed in the fire.
“In the meantime, please support the golf, tennis, bowls and other sports clubs who used the facilities at Batchwood to ensure they continue to form part of the local sporting community.”
Anyone who is interested in playing tennis and joining one of the many sessions run by Leisure Connection on behalf of the Council can call 01727 827667 extension 233.
More information about the latest developments on the project to rebuild Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre and to maintain services is available at: http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/projects_and_developments/BWC.aspx
Member contact:
Councillor Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage for St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01582 764688
Email: cllr.m.wakely@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the press:
Amanda Wilkinson, Communication Officer
St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819317
E-mail: amanda.wilkinson@stalbans.gov.uk
www.stalbans.gov.uk