Clive Efford MP has welcomed the opening of brand new tennis courts at Hornfair Park in Greenwich – and believes they will inspire a new generation of tennis players in the area.
The Member of Parliament for Eltham was on hand to open the new facilities, which will increase opportunities for the local community to pick up a racket and play the sport.
The project at Hornfair Park has consisted of the renovation of three existing courts into four brand new courts and four LTA Mini Tennis courts on the site.
The work has been made possible thanks to a £106,747 grant from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) with the remainder provided by the local authority and partnership funding.
Clive Efford MP said: “This is a fantastic facility in Hornfair Park in my constituency. It's great to see so many children enjoying playing tennis.
“We've had a fantastic summer of sport and elite athletes like Andy Murray help inspire the next generation to get involved in sport but we need quality sporting facilities where they can play.
“I also think it is really important to have floodlight in places like this so that they can be used all year around.”
LTA Development Director Tom Harlow added: “The LTA are delighted that the facilities here at Hornfair Park have been opened and are ready for use.
“It’s an important part of the LTA’s work to ensure that there are top quality facilities to grow tennis in the community.
“We’ve seen from the successes of Andy Murray, Laura Robson, Heather Watson and other British players in the last few months that people are talking about tennis and our job is to get them playing tennis."
The courts at Hornfair Park will be run by the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Leader Cllr Chris Roberts said: “The tennis facilities demonstrate the Royal Borough’s commitment to securing a long-lasting sporting and healthy living legacy for current and future residents.
“This is by upgrading current facilities and by working with our partners to create new popular, modern and accessible facilities across the whole borough to increase local participation in sport and physical activity.”
The funding has been provided as part of British Tennis’ facilities strategy which has received substantial investment from Sport England. This makes an important contribution to the drive to increase tennis opportunities for people to participate, compete and get access to coaching at all levels of the game in communities nationwide.
Richard Lewis, Sport England’s Chair, said: “It’s vital that public funding for sport goes into facilities that meet the highest standards, are welcoming, and cater for everyone. That’s how we’re going to get more people using them every day.
“The new facilities at Hornfair Park will offer even more accessibility for its members and encourage more people from the local community to get involved in the sport.”
The LTA makes financial support available through its resources and ensures investments will deliver the maximum return for British tennis through more people playing and across Britain.
There will be an increase in the number and standard of facilities nationwide which will be available to the whole community at a reasonable, affordable cost.