Stocksbridge Tennis Club is celebrating the painting of its new courts, which marks the end of the first stage of court improvements. The club raised over £50,000 through sponsorship, fundraising events and donations to resize and resurface the courts and the painting of the courts puts the final touches to the improvements. However, the club can’t sit back and just enjoy playing tennis now – it is working to fundraise for floodlights to enable the club to develop the use of the courts and provide extended usage of the facilities in the evenings and through the winter.
Chair, Martin Jackson, says ‘We’ve achieved a huge amount over the last 18 months. When we started our fundraising efforts the state of the courts was so bad that the future of the club was in doubt. Now, we have 4 lovely resurfaced and re-painted courts and look like a proper tennis club! However, none of this would have been possible without our fantastic sponsors, friends, patrons and club members who have worked hard to raise the money and do hard graft around the club for this first stage of improvements. We’re proud to be able to keep the club going for future generations of players to enjoy.’
If anyone wants to come down and try out the new courts there are plenty of coach-led sessions that non-members can take part in and over the summer there are free holiday sessions for children to come along to as well. Details of all session are on the club’s website www.stocksbridgetennisclub.org.uk.