New tennis facilities net community award

The University of Leicester has received the first ever Leicestershire Community Venue of Year award from the Aegon British Tennis Awards for the Roger Bettles Sports Centre and its new tennis facilities.

The Tennis Foundation and the Lawn Tennis Association recently launched the awards, which seek to recognise the great efforts of people and places that drive tennis participation and competition. The University will now represent Leicestershire in the regional awards.

The Universities investment in 3 brand new Savanna all-weather tennis courts alongside the seven existing courts have seen a positive growth of opportunities available to students, staff and the wider community to participate in tennis.

Partnership working between the University of Leicester, Lawn Tennis Association and the Tennis Foundation and investment in a University Tennis Coordinator (UTC) has resulted in increased opportunities and dedicated delivery time. This has aided the development of skills and increased the provision of match play as well as taking part in the Leicestershire Summer and Winter leagues. It is for these reasons that the county judging panel chose to recognise the exceptional efforts of the University.

Matthew Weir, Head of Sport and Recreation, said: “We believe that the University has a key role to play in supporting our local communities and actively making a difference. Our tennis offer showcases how sport can be a vehicle to not only promote health and wellbeing to our students and staff but to the wider community and we are delighted to have this work recognised.”

If you would like to get involved with Tennis at the University please contact Katie Dalmon - kd160@student.le.ac.uk or visit the website.