Case studies: how Yorkshire Tennis is helping clubs

Park Tennis Club in Brighouse recently celebrated its centenary and in preparation, the club’s two clay courts underwent a renovation with support from a small army of volunteers, starting at the back end of last season and picking up again in spring.

Borders were tidied up and areas of the courts were covered over the winter to prevent moss forming, while spring saw hedges cut back, paths re-laid and lines replaced once the courts had been refreshed with a new clay surface. Grant funding from Yorkshire Tennis & Padel, together with income from membership, visitor fees, and donations helped to pay for new clay and tooling to refresh the courts, which are maintained by volunteers and members at this community-based club.

It’s been a true team effort with over 30 of the club’s 110 members taking part in the ‘working parties’ involved in maintaining the grounds and overhauling the courts.

People stood on verrandah outside tennis clubhouse

Renovation of Park Tennis Club started in 2018, when the club began a two-year project to replace the old red shale with to clay courts. Chair Margaret Bottomley said: “The same year, we received a first grant from YorkshireTennis, which went towards the installation of a watering system – you can imagine how invaluable that has been this summer!”

Then, three years ago, the pavilion was re-roofed, a verandah was added and in 2024 the interior of the clubhouse was upgraded. Members are now now improving the grounds.

To mark its 100th anniversary Park Tennis Club gave away 100 free tennis memberships for local primary school children and organised open days for juniors and adults, plus mixed ability social sessions, ahead of the centenary celebrations which took place at the end of June.

Attending the celebrations, Yorkshire Tennis & Padel president Karen Mitchell said: “It was fantastic to revisit the club as this was where my brother, Steve McLoughlin, and I grew up playing. My mum and dad volunteered as chair, secretary and president. Kindly the club has a plaque on the clubhouse for mum, who was a player, volunteer and supporter of the club for over 60 years!

“Park Tennis Club has a long and remarkable history of developing county players, coaches and volunteers who have made a massive contribution to tennis in the county and the local area. It’s a real jewel of a club and we hope it will continue to provide a focus for the local community for decades to come.”

More examples of how we’re supporting clubs across Yorkshire