INDEX sport
Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club is one of the oldest in the UK with a history that can be traced back to 1899
Tennis Club (TWLTC) – one of the oldest in the UK with a history that can be traced back to 1899. The club currently has more than 700 members as young as fi ve and as old as, well, that would be putting another unnecessary label on a sport that can be enjoyed by anyone who is reasonably fi t and active. With three artifi cial clay courts, 10
hard courts (most with fl oodlighting) and eight grass courts open for business May to October, TWLTC immediately knocks that “only in summer” barrier straight out the court. And the next thing Sarah Deason is quick to address with all the expert effi ciency of a Novak return of serve is cost.
“An adult annual membership here is less than £30 a month. You’d be hard- pressed to fi nd a gym membership for that and because our facilities are so extensive you can play, train, undergo tuition and socialise all year round.” And whether it’s social or competitive
play, TWLTC runs regular club nights, tournaments and leagues designed for all levels as well as fi elding 20 teams in the Kent and Maidstone leagues. But it’s the development side of its activities which is the lifeblood of the club, as coach Tom Aydon explains: “We have a really lively and thriving junior section and
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currently have around 200 members under the age of 18. We know nurturing young talent is vital for clubs like ours and for the sport as a whole so we place great emphasis on coaching and development. “We run a Friday Club Night. This allows the under 10s to take to the courts and work towards their mini-tennis award badge and then older children participate in rolling weekly competitions in which they enjoy supervised play and gain match experience.”
Like a lot of clubs, TWLTC recognises participants come and go and a sport can be subject to fl uctuations in popularity associated with anything from funding (or lack thereof), the extent of television coverage, and even the prevailing media value of the latest pin-up player. Sarah Deason believes tennis is in good shape but she also believes it’s important to keep offering people not just a great playing experience but other incentives to maintain interest and to entice new players. The club will shortly be launching Cardio
Tennis – a newly-developed exercise session that combines the basics of the game to create an effective group workout to music. Cardio Tennis can burn up to 600 calories in a one-hour class and, crucially, it’s not about technique it’s about keeping fi t in a fun environment, although the beginner will pick-up technique along the way. “We’re one of the largest clubs in South East England but we never rest on our success or long history; you can’t when lives are so busy and when there are so many other calls on precious time,” adds Sarah. “That’s why we continue to review and develop all aspects of the club and why we make every effort to create an atmosphere that is friendly, supportive, sociable and, really importantly, welcoming to new members.
“When a sport or physical exercise is fun it becomes something you want to do and do regularly. We can offer that experience all-year round. Not just during the two weeks of Wimbledon!”
OPEN DAY INVITE COME ALONG AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!
Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club is hosting an open day on Sunday, 29th June as part of the Great British Tennis Weekend. • For further information on that and all the club’s activities, visit
www.twltc.org • For details of the Great British Tennis Weekend, visit
www.greatbritishtennisweekend.com
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