The Tennis Club at the Chilwell Memorial Institute has been awarded the County-wide ‘Club of the Year’ award at the recent Notts Tennis Association Annual Awards.
The President of the Club, Chris Clift, said the Award was “An amazing achievement for a small Club in the middle of lockdown. It’s a credit to the contribution of all the members as well as our funding bodies.
Grants for the development of the all-weather court have been given by Sport England and Notts County Council. “The Club owes a debt of gratitude to these bodies for the faith they have put into the Club” said Chris.
Since summer last year the Club has converted one of its three grass tennis courts into a floodlit all-weather court enabling all year-round tennis and netball as well as other recreational activities.
Chris said Sport England and Notts County Council “were impressed by the Club’s aim of using the new court to expand the range of recreational activities open to the community.” The Club is now hoping that children and older residents will find it easier to take up tennis or other sports to get fit, make friends and have fun.
In addition to the all-weather court, the Club has also re-surfaced the two existing grass courts which needed improving. The Club has achieved a new tennis and community facility ready the forthcoming summer season.
The Club is a social tennis club and members play mostly mixed doubles. Several Open Days are held at the beginning of the season to encourage new members. It is looking to welcome players of all abilities, especially beginners, and those who have played before but would like to pick up it up again. “It’s a great sport” Chris said.
A new Netball Club has also been established and members are looking forward to playing on the new court. The Netball Club plays ‘walking netball’ which is fun for all age groups. England Netball has been encouraging the Club since the renewed interest in netball nationally.
Trish Roberts-Thomson, Chair of the Chilwell Memorial Institute said: “The Tennis Club have shown imagination and dedication in re-developing the courts and this Award from Notts LTA is a fitting achievement.”
Anyone interested in playing tennis or netball please get in contact with the Tennis Club on 0115 972 3653 or [email protected]
Tennis and netball can be played again after 29th March on the all-weather court but the grass courts will take a little longer before they are playable.