Salts Tennis Club in Bradford has been named ‘Club of the Year’ at the 2010 British Tennis Awards.

The Yorkshire club was presented with the prestigious national accolade by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton.

Salts Tennis Club scooped the award in recognition of the role it is playing in driving awareness, enhancing access and providing increased opportunities in the sport. 

Once a club in decline, Salts Tennis Club has now established itself as one of the area’s leading tennis providers.

Salts Tennis Club Secretary, John Bretherick said: “It’s a great honour and privilege for a small community tennis club such as Salts to be recognised with this club of the year award from the LTA. 

“We have a strong history of providing ‘affordable tennis for all’ at the club, local schools and in our local parks which is now paying dividends with a sustainable coaching programme, growth in club membership and excellent links with local primary schools and Titus Salt School.”

In 2009 the club achieved Clubmark accreditation from the LTA for driving up standards and recognising best practice among clubs, parks and tennis centres.

The club was also recently awarded ‘Beacon’ site status by the Tennis Foundation and LTA in recognition of its high quality, affordable community-focussed tennis programme, as part of AEGON Parks Tennis.

LTA Vice President and Yorkshire LTA committee member, John Ramsbottom said: “Yorkshire LTA are delighted that another of our member clubs has won this prestigious LTA award following Thongsbridge Tennis Club in 2004.

“The dedication and enthusiasm provided by Jim Dyer, John Bretherick and their team over the last five years in developing their club in line with the LTA's Blueprint for the game is evident, and the award is richly deserved.

The club employs a full time coach and delivers a successful community outreach programme in local schools, clubs and parks to encourage more people to take up the sport.

In the last six months alone, the club’s membership has almost doubled from 128 to 240 and the number of regularly competing juniors has dramatically increased thanks to enhanced coaching and competition opportunities. 

Bretherick added: “The clubs achievements are down to a team effort. Our thanks go to Head Coach Richard Senior, Paul Bennett and Gavin Sutcliffe from the Yorkshire LTA, as well as Sue Foster from Titus Salt School, Bryan Brooks from the Aire-Valley school sports partnership and Malcolm Wright from Bradford Parks & Leisure.

“We would also like to extend our gratitude to all our club supporters including The Shipley Area Committee, Illingworth McNair Ltd, Pace plc, Jack Pennington, Buxton Pickles and BT.”

To find out where your nearest court is, visit: www.lta.org.uk/playtennis