With the number of people playing regular tennis increasing by 14% in the past few years (according to the LTA), tennis clubs across Britain have a golden opportunity to increase membership and support the UK’s passion for the game. Many clubs are responding by investing in upgraded courts and facilities to satisfy the growing demand for high performance playing conditions.
Their efforts are being recognised, too – not least in the case of Slinfold Tennis Club in Horsham, West Sussex. The club has recently completed a two-year upgrade programme, featuring three fully floodlit Clayrite all-weather tennis courts, installed by ETC Sports Surfaces Ltd, plus a brand new £200,000 eco clubhouse. The upgrade has seen members keen to try out the new courts, which are now available for use whatever the weather, thanks to their advanced drainage properties.
March 2018 saw the official opening of the revamped club facilities, which was attended by MP for Horsham, Jeremy Quin. Then, in November 2018, Slinfold Tennis Club had even more reason to celebrate when it was awarded the accolade of Tennis Sussex’s Club of the Year, beating more than 70 other entrants to win the award.
Club Treasurer and Match Secretary Mark Ponton confirms that the club’s members are delighted with the upgraded facilities. “We are very pleased indeed with the new courts,” he says, “and they’re looking as great today as they did when they were first installed. Our members find the surfaces to be gentler on their joints, footwear and of course, the balls! We have also recently entered into a 5-year maintenance contract with ETC Sports Surfaces. So far, this is working well, and we are benefiting from ongoing helpful advice and dialogue.”
This major upgrade has grown the Slinfold Tennis Club’s membership by 60 per cent and equipped the club to provide a rich programme of social and competitive tennis for players of all ages. The project is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the club’s committee – and illustrates the value of developing ongoing and fruitful relationships between customers and suppliers.
For more information on ETC Sports Surfaces Ltd, please click [here] and for more information on Playrite, please click [here]