Yorkshire tasted double success today as the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) celebrated its annual National British Tennis Awards at the All England Club for The Championships, Wimbledon 2018.
Skipton Tennis Centre built on the site of tennis courts dating back 50 years won the Club of the Year award with Brighouse-based Robert Balmforth taking the Official of the Year award.
Skipton Tennis Centre embarked on a £100,000 development in late 2007/8 and over the last ten years has gone from strength to strength, with more than 1,000 people now playing its courts each week. The Craven centres is the result of an impressive ten-year plan spearheaded by 36-year-old Adam Cox who sold his own home to provide a £27,000 shortfall required to complete the development.
Robert Balmforth had a highly successful 2017 chairing over 150 matches across the world, including all four Grand Slams. He was also part of the umpiring team at the Davis Cup in both 2016 and 2017 and has since been promoted to one of few Silver Badge umpires as he looks to cement his status as one of the most highly-respected officials in the game.
Both winners received their prizes at a lunch attended by HRH Duchess of Gloucester, tennis legends Jo Durie and Mark Cox, and hosted by broadcaster and former British No. 1 Andrew Castle.
Now in its third year, the awards celebrate the outstanding achievements made by tennis volunteers, coaches, clubs and community programmes across the country.
This year saw a record number of public nominations with 1,460 in total for the awards, covering 10 different categories including two volunteer of the year awards, coach of the year, and club of the year. Nominations were drawn from 25,000 volunteers, 4,400 coaches, 940 officials, 20,000 schools, 2,800 clubs and over 9,700 LTA-approved tournaments across the country.
Scott Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Lawn Tennis Association said: “I want to congratulate Skipton Tennis Club and Robert, along with all our winners and nominees for this year’s British Tennis Awards. We had a record number of nominations and their stories reflect the huge passion for the game and highlight how tennis touches the lives of people in a range of different ways, whether through disability programmes, education initiatives or the fantastic work that clubs do in their local communities.
“Our sport wouldn’t be what it is today without the support it receives at grassroots level. These winners and nominees along with the thousands of others up and down the country who give up their time to support our sport are the real heroes of British tennis.”
Leon Smith, OBE and GB Davis Cup Captain, who also attended the event added: “The British Tennis Awards are a real celebration of the people that work at all levels of our sport, including our inspirational coaches who are vital in growing the game and supporting those who play tennis across the country.
Whether it’s helping someone pick up a racket for the first time or progressing through to being an elite player, coaches motivate each person and I genuinely believe their passion for the sport will encourage those of all ages and abilities to keep playing tennis for the rest of their lives.”
Adam Cox of Skipton Tennis Centre, said: “To be awarded Club of the Year is absolutely amazing. The club has such a friendly community feel. The support we’ve received from local schools, members, players, coaches and those who regularly give their time to volunteer is phenomenal.
“The club would not be a success without the incredible team working alongside me. The is the most special moment I’ve experienced in my tennis career and they’re all going to be thrilled when I go back with the award!”
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Robert Balmforth, said: “I am honoured to have won this award and very proud to represent Yorkshire and British officiating. The support from the LTA has been instrumental to me achieving my goals as an official, and to be a winner alongside so many inpirational people from the tennis family is amazing.”
To find out how you can get involved in volunteering for British Tennis visit www.lta.org.uk/volunteering