GREAT British Tennis Weekend will see courts across Essex serve up free tennis over three weekends this summer.
The first takes place this weekend (May 16 and 17), with parks and clubs offering free events throughout the county.
People can take part in sessions, including Cardio Tennis, Highland Spring Mini Tennis and tennis coaching, as part of the LTA and Tennis Foundation’s drive to get more people playing more often.
Venues will be providing rackets and balls, so whether you’ve never picked up a racket before or just haven’t played for a while, Great British Tennis Weekend is the perfect way to get involved.
Participating venues offering free tennis this weekend include:
Braintree Lawn Tennis Club
Brentwood Hard Court
Chadwell Heath Lawn Tennis Club
Chelmsfordians Tennis Club
Chigwell LTC
Cranbrook Castle Lawn Tennis & Social Club
Cranston Park Lawn Tennis & Social Club
David Lloyd (Basildon) Tennis Club
David Lloyd Club Chigwell
David Lloyd Club Gidea Park
David Lloyd Club Southend
Earls Colne Tennis Club
Elm Park LTC
Frinton LTC
Garons Tennis Academy
Gidea Park LTC
Havering Tennis Club
Hutton and Shenfield UC Lawn Tennis Club and Hutton Tennis Club Ltd
Hylands Community Amateur Sports Club
Kelvedon Hatch Tennis & Social Club
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre
Palmers Sports & Fitness Tennis Club
Southend Lawn Tennis Club
Stratford Park
Thorpe Bay Lawn Tennis Club
Westcliff Hardcourt Tennis Club
Westcliff Lawn Tennis Club
Woodford Wells
The dates for the three Great British Tennis Weekends are:
Saturday 16th – Sunday 17th May
Saturday 13th – Sunday 14th June
Saturday 1st – Sunday 2nd August
Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Sport and Physical Activity, Cllr Ray Gooding said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for people and families of Essex to give tennis a go for free and, with Wimbledon fast approaching, now is a great time to get involved.
"Tennis is not only a sport that the whole family can enjoy, it’s also a fun way to get active and enjoy the beautiful weather we’ve been having.”
Chairman of Active Essex, Gary Sullivan OBE said: “We are really excited that the Great British Tennis Weekend is hitting Essex this summer and Active Essex is pleased to be able to support them.
"With so many parks and clubs right across the county running their own Great British Tennis Weekends there really is something for everyone.
"I hope families take the opportunity to take part in these fantastic events and ready themselves for what is set to be the biggest ever summer of tennis, as we get behind Andy Murray and the British tennis stars.”
To reserve your free place, visit www.lta.org.uk/gbtw
