Calderdale clubs hoping Wimbledon effect means they serve up tennis to more people
Tennis clubs in Calderdale hope to serve up the sport to more people who've been inspired to have a go thanks to the Wimbledon championships.
The annual fortnight-long tournament is the biggest event in the sport, and this year saw Britain's Arthur Fery reach the semi-finals.
Calderdale clubs say they regularly see an uptake in the sport thanks to Wimbledon, and are encouraging people to give tennis a try.
Andrew Gray, from Queens Tennis Club, said: "Events like Wimbledon always shine a spotlight on tennis and inspire people to pick up a racket.
"Every year we see increased interest after the tournament, particularly from families and children who have been watching the action on TV.
"With Queens hosting our Grand Opening Weekend on August 1 and 2, it's the perfect time for people to get involved.
"We're offering free bookable sessions for all ages and abilities, giving people the opportunity to experience our facilities and see first-hand what Queens has to offer.
"If Wimbledon has inspired you to get involved, we'd encourage you to come along, have a go and discover just how welcoming and enjoyable tennis can be."
Suzanne Oulton, from Todmorden Tennis Club, said: "It does appear that more people book our pay and play courts in the run up to the tournament and year on year, we regularly receive enquiries to join the tennis club.
"Some of these enquiries are from people who just want to know they have paid for court access in advance but all are actively encouraged to join in with our club activities such as social play sessions, fun and club tournaments.
"Further more, we run six mens teams, three ladies teams and three mixed teams that play in various divisions in the Calderdale Tennis League, so the chance to play a competitive match is very achievable, especially when members go on holiday in the peak of summer.
"We are very fortunate to now have access to the newly resurfaced tennis courts in Todmorden’s Centre Vale Park.
"This means we can have two teams at home in Todmorden on one match evening.
"The remaining home fixtures are played elsewhere in the Calder Valley, for example the next closest being Mytholmroyd - our pay and play courts - then Crow Wood Park, Sowerby and Ripponden’s also recently resurfaced courts."
Suzanne added: "Arthur Fery was fabulous and inspiring to watch but we were already receiving regular enquiries from parents wanting to introduce their offspring to the game.
"The club advertises the junior sessions to all previous attendees and usually advertises in the local primary schools.
"We welcome any enquiries for both junior and adult coaching sessions.
"They are popular and run by qualified coaches, supported by dedicated volunteers who make the hour session action packed and leave players wanting more."
Ann Rushworth, from Rastrick Tennis Club, said the recent hot weather has had an impact though,
“Wimbledon generally does increase interest and a British player doing well also increases interest,” she said.
"However, this year was unusual in that the exceptionally hot weather had the exact opposite effect, and nullified the Wimbledon bounce.
"It was far too hot for members to enjoy playing comfortably, never mind new people coming along.
"At Wellholme, we have been running the Barclays Free Park Tennis, where Barclays pay for the court hire and provide some equipment and the club provides volunteer coaching and trained activator support, every Sunday at 10am since May. This has seen an increase in the first week of Wimbledon weekend, but not the second, when it was really hot.”