Community tennis centres like Corby could close without government support

Tennis centres like the one in Corby are at risk of closure without more government support, the sport's governing body is warning.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) is calling for a Sports Recovery Fund to help protect Community Indoor Tennis Centres like the one in Corby.

Craig Howarth, managing director of the club, said: "Corby Tennis Centre is a crucial player in the mental and physical well-being of the local residents and the much wider community, and at present, it is in very real danger of being forced to close unless the government urgently steps in with help."

Earlier this year, Corby Tennis Club secured a Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant with the help of local MP Tom Pursglove, but community tennis centres need more continued support.

The government has announced a £100 million investment in public leisure facilities but there are 54 community tennis centres across the country and many are still seeing a loss in income while restrictions remain in place.

The LTA's head of region for the midlands, Claire Brown, said: "While we welcome the recent government announcement regarding investment into public leisure, this money will be spread thinly across a huge range of publicly owned sport and leisure facilities.

"The current restrictions across Britain still mean the number of people who can use these centres is significantly less than in normal circumstances, which will continue to have a huge impact on their financial viability as we move into a difficult winter."

Restrictions have made it hard for tennis centres to operate as normal and many are still incurring a loss. This is particularly felt in tier 2 and 3 areas because adults can only play with others in their households or bubbles in indoor courts, despite the socially distanced nature of tennis.

Claire Brown added: "Facilities like Corby Tennis Centre play a pivotal role in supporting mental and physical health among people of a range of ages, abilities and disabilities."

Corby Tennis Club has been run by Passing Shots Community Interest since the council could no longer afford to run the club. Director Craig Howarth said: "We outreach to thousands of primary school children every year. This is typical of all the community indoor tennis centre's around the country, who do immensely valuable community work, and many of us are in danger of having to close the doors for good."

Deborah Briggs, 57, a regular player at Corby Tennis Centre, knows the value of the sport.

She said: "I work for the NHS as a trauma specialist part-time and look after my mum (86) the rest.

"Tennis is a really important release for daily stress. Corby indoor tennis centre has been a lifeline for me and indirectly for my patients too. I can't emphasise enough how important Corby Tennis Club is for mental and physical health - it would leave a huge void if it were to close."

Karyn Slattery, 62, also plays tennis at Corby Tennis Centre and said: "I feel privileged to live close to Corby Indoor Tennis Centre. It enables me to maintain a fun level of fitness all year round and the club and social sessions are a pathway to new friendships and fresh challenges.

"This has been especially important during the current pandemic. The facility has definitely had a positive impact on my mental health as it is one of the few places I can connect to people in a well-managed covid safe environment."

This summer, participation in tennis soared with a seven-per-cent increase from the previous year even without Wimbledon's boost for the sport after it was forced to cancel due to the pandemic.

Claire Brown said: "We have been delighted with the increase in participation in our sport this summer, but are very concerned about the future of Community Indoor Tennis Centres that are so crucial to helping open up the sport to more people all year round."

The LTA is hoping more support from the government can secure the future of the sport for everyone to enjoy.

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