LTA Chief Executive Roger Draper pictured with members of Salt Hill Park Tennis Club in Slough
Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Chief Executive Roger Draper has given tennis in Slough and Reading a ringing endorsement after presenting two local facilities with the prestigious ‘Beacon’ status at the weekend.
Caversham Park in Reading and Salt Hill Park in Slough were both awarded the status as part of the AEGON Parks Tennis programme, delivered in partnership with the LTA and Tennis Foundation, in recognition of their high quality, affordable community tennis programmes.
Roger Draper enjoyed a tour of the area and was on hand to present the plaques to the two clubs as they joined more than 100 sites across the country to achieve the national accolade, which recognises the best community-focussed facilities offering an element of free tennis and coaching as part of the AEGON Parks Tennis programme.
It was a double celebration for Salt Hill Park in Slough as they unveiled their upgraded facilities, made possible by an LTA grant of £135,698 with support from Sport England. The funding is part of the LTA’s commitment to improve playing facilities and to enhance access to tennis nationwide.
Roger Draper said: “I’m delighted to be awarding the Beacon plaques to Caversham Park and Salt Hill Park – the LTA is proud to recognise the excellent community opportunities offered by both facilities.
“Through the AEGON Parks Tennis programme, we are committed to making our sport more accessible to everyone. Tennis is fantastic family entertainment and top quality facilities like Caversham Park and GDT Slough allow more people to enjoy the sport.”
Caversham Park chairman Panos Kontogiannis said: “We are delighted to be awarded Beacon status and become part of the AEGON Parks Tennis programme. We have had six brand new floodlit courts and a clubhouse built so we can now offer top quality tennis facilities to the community.”
Caversham Park presented with their Beacon status plaque
Following their facility investment, Salt Hill Park now boasts eight outdoor courts as well as a small clubhouse. As well as offering membership, the site offers pay and play facilities open to all ages and abilities.
Gary Drake, director of GDT Slough at Salt Hill Park, added: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to develop tennis in Slough and with the joint investment from both the LTA and Slough Borough Council we believe we have a fantastic facility to really benefit the local community.”
Richard Lewis, Sport England’s Chair, said: "It's vital that public funding for sport goes into facilities that meet the highest standards, are welcoming, and cater for everyone. That's how we’re going to get more people using them every day.
“The new facilities at Salt Hill Park will offer more playing opportunities for its members and provide further options for more people to play tennis for longer."
The funding has been provided as part of British Tennis’ facilities strategy which has received substantial investment from Sport England. This makes an important contribution to the drive to increase tennis opportunities for people to participate, compete and get access to coaching at all levels of the game in communities nationwide.
To find out where your nearest court is, visit: www.lta.org.uk/playtennis