A huge boost both for Christchurch Park and community sport was today welcomed by British No. 1 tennis player Elena Baltacha.
Elena is patron of the Ipswich’s Tennis in the Park project – a partnership between Ipswich Borough Council and Ipswich Sports Club – and it is the success of a pilot scheme that has led to a £142,500 grant from the Lawn Tennis Association, with support from Sport England, to re-build the park’s courts and develop a comprehensive coaching programme.
The Council and Ipswich Sports Club have agreed to deliver the exciting community programme for players of all levels and the new-look five courts will also be available for free casual use.
In addition, the Ark pavilion nearby will be developed as a specialist tennis facility.
Councillor Inga Lockington (Parks) and Councillor Andrew Cann (Culture) said in a joint statement today: “This is fantastic news and will not only provide a platform for emerging tennis talent in Ipswich but also represents a major investment in Christchurch Park, currently bidding for its fourth consecutive Green Flag.
“We are very grateful to our partners, Ipswich Sports Club and the Lawn Tennis Association, for their commitment. The Ipswich Parks Tennis scheme is one of dozens across the country selected by the LTA for further development. This is another example of the Big Society in action.”
Paul Sheldrake from Ipswich Sports Club said “This is great news for tennis in Ipswich and tennis at the Ipswich Sports Club. We believe that it will increase the numbers of people playing tennis at all levels and that many of them will have the opportunity to playing their tennis at Ipswich Sports Club. This huge LTA investment will ensure that our new tennis community programme will continue to develop and grow, to encourage many more people to take up the game. I am looking forward to seeing many new faces to join us for the free and small fee tennis coaching programmes that we offer.
Baltacha welcomed the investment Tennis in the Park and congratulated both the LTA and the Council for backing a project designed to make tennis accessible for everyone. "It's wonderful to see Tennis in the Park getting this kind of support and I'm really proud to be it's patron," she said. "I live and train in Ipswich and helping more local children to play tennis is a cause which is really close to my heart. The more kids from all backgrounds we can get playing tennis the more the sport can grow."
The funding has been provided as part of the LTA’s commitment to improve playing facilities and enhance access to tennis nationwide and has received substantial investment from Sport England. This makes a crucial contribution to tennis’ drive to increase the opportunities for people to participate, compete and get access to coaching at all levels of the game in communities nationwide.
Roger Draper, Chief Executive of the LTA, said: “This investment is an important part of our work to help more people play tennis, and stay in the game. It’s great to see Ipswich Borough Council investing so significantly in our sport, as a local authority that recognises the lifelong health benefits of a sport for all ages, and all parts of the community.”
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 more hours on the court 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.
Further information on the exciting tennis programme being delivered by the Tennis in the Park team please register your interest and sign up for free on the website asap www.ipswichparktennis.co.uk or e mail coaching@ipswichparktennis.co.uk or telephone Paul on 07860 241144