Mary Glindon, MP, North Tyneside, David Mitchison from Sport England and Jo Cunliffe from the Lawn Tennis Association joined members and supporters for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the official opening of the new facilities at Forest Hall Community Tennis Club last Saturday 8th June.
The Club received nearly £50,000 through Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund to extend, re-surface and install floodlights on all three of its courts providing the community with all year round playing facilities. The project also received funding of £25,000 from the Lawn Tennis Association and £5,000 from North Tyneside Council. The Club, members and community raised more than £20,000 to provide the balance of the funds.
Sport England’s Property Director Charles Johnston said: “Good sports facilities play an important role in local communities; they not only improve people’s sporting experience but also help attract new participants. The popularity of this fund has exceeded our expectations showing an appetite from sports clubs up and down the country to celebrate the legacy the Olympic and Paralympic games.”
Dave Davis, Chairman and Head Coach added, “Without the support of so many people we would not have been able to complete this project. We are indebted to everyone who has enabled us to achieve so much. The courts are not only an important addiction to the Club but also to the wider community. This was truly a community effort.”
Jo Cunliffe, LTA, highlighted, “Volunteers at Forest Hall Tennis Club need to be congratulated on their tireless work over many years. Their relentless commitment and dedication to get the courts re-furbished along with the addition of floodlighting is going to build upon and enhance the tennis opportunities the Club offers to the local community. The Club achieved the nationally recognised Clubmark Accreditation and Beacon status in 2011, which was further proof of the Club's desire to be the best of the best. We are all excited about the future for Forest Hall and tennis in the area.”
Mary Glindon, MP, agreed and congratulated the club. “Forest Hall Tennis Club is planning an exciting range of activities to get more people involved in tennis and I hope to see residents both young and old picking up a racket and having fun on the new courts.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the gates of the courts was followed by a family tennis tournament to try out the new courts and an extremely well attended BBQ.