New tennis investment for the community in Adur and Worthing
Released: Monday, 18 September 2023
We've agreed a partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) which will see more than £250,000 invested into transforming our park tennis courts.
The courts in Buckingham Park, Shoreham, and Church House Grounds, Tarring, will be given a new lease of life thanks to funding from us, the Government and the LTA Tennis Foundation, delivered by the LTA as part of its Park Tennis Project.
Free tennis sessions will also be run at both sites, with those of any age or ability able to sign up.
The project is part of a nationwide scheme by the Government and LTA Tennis Foundation to refurbish public tennis courts to open up the sport to many more people.
Thousands of existing park tennis courts across Great Britain will be transformed for the benefit of communities, with improved access through new gate-access technology and booking systems.
Park tennis courts are vital in providing opportunities for children and adults to get active, delivering significant physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits to participants.
Accessible facilities in parks are particularly critical to opening up the sport to everyone, in particular women and girls.
A total of £98,000 from the Government and LTA Tennis Foundation along with £155,000 from us will fund the refurbishment programme.
We will also work with local clubs and the LTA to deliver free weekly organised park tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience. Equipment will also be provided, meaning that people will not need to find someone to play with or their own racket.
Local tennis leagues will also provide friendly, sociable, opportunities to get active through local competition.
Courts and sessions at both Buckingham Park and Church House Grounds will be available to book online via book a tennis court on the LTA website, in the same way as the courts in Homefield Park, Worthing, currently operate.
Work on the courts is expected to begin in the coming weeks and will be complete by spring 2024.
Cllr Emma Evans, Adur's Cabinet Member for the Environment and Leisure, said:
“Thanks to this investment, more people will be able to enjoy sport on their doorstep.
“Our parks are a vital resource for our community so the more people we can get to enjoy their benefits the better.”
Cllr Rita Garner, Worthing's Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, said:
“Playing tennis is a great way to keep fit but the cost of the equipment can be too much for some people to be able to even try it.
“I hope these free sessions will encourage lots of our community to start what could become the beginning of a fitness journey that will leave them healthier and happier.”
Julie Porter, the Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said:
“We are delighted to be working with Adur & Worthing Councils to improve their park tennis facilities and provide more opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and get active.
“This investment is part of the UK Government and LTA's Parks Tennis Project, and will mean that courts will be available for people to use for years to come.
“We will also be working closely with Adur & Worthing Councils to ensure that members of the local community have a range of accessible opportunities to get on court, and open up our sport to many more people.”
Photo: Buckingham Park tennis courts in Shoreham
Photo: Church House Grounds tennis courts in Tarring
(PR23-124)
Page last updated: 18 April 2024