Tennis facility achieves national recognition

Date:  05 July 2011

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Tennis Foundation have announced that Abbots Langley, The Elms, in Hertfordshire has been awarded ‘Beacon’ status as part of the AEGON Parks Tennis programme which recognises high quality, affordable community tennis programmes.

The announcement was made as The Elms Sport in Schools, in partnership with Three Rivers District Council, hosted a free Tennis Exhibition day on Sunday July 3 which welcomed residents from the local community and featured an inter-school championship between four local primary schools. Skills & drills sessions, exhibition matches from The Elms ‘Gifted and Talented’ programme and workshops were also running throughout the day encouraging everybody, young and old, to participate in the game. 

Presenting the prestigious ‘Beacon’ plaque to Council Chairman Chris Whately-Smith was Leo Tutt, Tennis Development Manager for Hertfordshire. Leo said: “The facility will offer new quality tennis playing opportunities to the local community. These will include some free and low cost tennis sessions delivered by qualified coaches.”

Three Rivers District Council Chairman Chris Whately-Smith said; “The Council are excited to have entered a partnership with The Elms, which will increase the access to quality coaching in Abbots Langley.

“The partnership has already seen a significant investment from the Council to refurbish the tennis courts at Leavesden Country Park, and a commitment from The Elms to run a programme of coaching which will be available to the local community.

“There is little doubt the partnership will increase the usage at the courts, and raise the standard of tennis being played amongst children and adults.”

James Vaughan, Tennis Director from The Elms Sport in Schools added: “I live in Abbots Langley and am delighted that this facility is now available to local residents.  The Elms Sport in Schools have been working hard to raise the profile of tennis within some of the local primary schools and it was absolutely fantastic to see how well received the Tennis Exhibition day was. 

“Beacon Status is incredibly important to us; it is vital for local communities to have access to free and affordable tennis and we are very excited to be involved with this brand new project in partnership with Three Rivers District Council”.

This free Tennis Exhibition Day will be an annual event in the calendar at The Abbots Langley Tennis facility, during which the same four schools will have the chance to compete for the Abbots Langley Inter-School Championship Trophy.

Leavesden Country Park joins 142 sites across the country to have achieved the national accolade which recognises the best community-focussed facilities offering free and affordable tennis as part of the AEGON Parks Tennis programme. 

To achieve this status, facilities must also offer access to quality, affordable coaching as well as regular competitions for all ages and abilities. 

To find a playing partner, a local court or coach, register at www.allplaytennis.com