The popularity of tennis facilities at Pelican Park is highlighting an all-time-high appetite for tennis in Hull following joint investment from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), Friends of Pelican Park and Hull City Council into the previously under-threat facilities.
The four courts at the park were saved following the partnership investment with floodlights installed, courts resurfaced and a new clubhouse, turning the facility into a community hub where record numbers are playing the sport.
The facilities now at Pelican Park showcase the success story of the LTA’s partnership with the community and Council to protect and improve access to tennis in parks. Across Yorkshire and Humberside, only 13% of the population currently play regularly, despite more than 1 in 4 being keen to take up the sport. Barriers to participation include fewer daylight hours in the autumn and winter months, and rain interrupting play.
The North East of England has a good record of producing professional tennis players, including Katie O’Brien and Kyle Edmund, both from Beverley, and Paul Jubb, who grew up minutes from Pelican Park and began playing tennis there aged just five.
After winning the U16 National Championships in 2015 as an unseeded player, Jubb, 17, relocated to study and train in the United States and is back in the UK for a visit home having recently played in the F2 Futures event in Piestany, Slovakia.
Paul Jubb, British Tennis player, said:
“I definitely wouldn’t have got where I am today without the facilities at Pelican Park just minutes from my house. The investment into the courts has been fantastic for the local area. It means more people can play for longer hours, particularly in the winter when it gets dark so early.
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Jan Hornby, chair of the Friends of Pelican Park, said:
“We are so proud of our facilities here at Pelican Park. It was been crucial to have the support of the LTA and Hull City Council and together we have transformed these courts into somewhere for the community not only to play, but to meet and enjoy themselves at our café and new clubhouse. It’s great to have the work of our Friends group and volunteers recognised as being instrumental in the community enjoyment of tennis in East Hull.”
Paul Sheard, Regional Participation Manager the North East region at the LTA, added: “The commitment of the Friends and Hull City Council to protecting and rejuvenating Pelican Park is inspiring and it is a great example of how improving facilities and making it easier for people to play increases participation.
“Through Transforming British Tennis Together, the opportunities are there for communities across the North East to partner with the LTA and benefit from this record level of funding to improve their local facilities, so we’re encouraging them and local authorities to get in touch and tell us what they need to help get more people playing.”
Transforming British Tennis Together aims to reduce the barriers to playing tennis by doubling the number of floodlit and covered courts across the UK over the next ten years, increasing available playing hours. The initiative will also see the LTA work with local communities across the region to:
- Install online booking and entry systems so everyone can book a tennis court easily from their mobile phone, computer or tablet;
- Refurbish courts, clubhouses and other social spaces to ensure players have a great experience every time they visit; and
- Support other innovative and creative ideas that meet local demand.
The LTA is calling on tennis clubs, parks, local government, volunteers, coaches and businesses across the region to come together and register their interest in bidding for the funds to transform their local tennis courts. For more information visit www.lta.org.uk/TBTT. There are also opportunities to join the LTA at regional roadshow events in the North East on 17 and 18 October 2017 to find out more about Transforming British Tennis Together and what the investment can do in local areas. To sign up for a roadshow event visit www.lta.org.uk/venue-management/facilities-advice/