Meldreth Tennis Club

Joining a sports club is one of the many engaging ways we can keep fit and active, while also socialising and having fun. That makes it all the more important for the sites of these clubs to be kept in good condition.

Christine Knight, of Cambridgeshire, is an ace when it comes to refurbishing her local clubs. She was the catalyst to the £300,000 refurbishment of Royton Tennis Club in 2010 and, after joining Meldreth Tennis Club, decided to take her proactive attitude to revamp this club too.

Her fundraising efforts saw her collect £62,000, and even receiving the recognition of Wimbledon. This transformed the previously dilapidated courts into a pride and joy for the village. New life had literally been brought to the club, in the form of an influx of members, raising their numbers up to over 100, having previously fallen to just 35 with the club in a downward spiral.

The increase in membership led to a need for a second court, and this was built with the added help of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).

Funding from London Luton Airport Ltd then enabled the club to grow its all-important junior section.

Christine, the membership secretary, said: “The £1,500 received from London Luton Airport Ltd helped us to complete the courts by providing benches and junior tennis equipment, and for the first time in decades we have a flourishing junior section using the courts both as members of the club and children from the local primary and pre-schools.”

Mini nets and rackets were also bought with the donation, allowing for the club to take tennis to different venues.

“It is thanks to funders like London Luton Airport Ltd that volunteers are able to run venues for the benefit of the community,” Christine added.

The club can be joined by children as young as three, families, or just for its social aspect. Members have entered into LTA leagues, and with coaching sessions open to juniors and adults alike, there appears to be a bright future for Meldreth Tennis Club.