We aim to provide a more modern, vibrant and disabled-accessible clubhouse with changing room and toilet facilities that are fit for purpose
by Yarm Tennis Club in Yarm, England, United Kingdom
If the Club is able to raise any additional funds on top of our £20,000 target, the extra funds will be used to go towards furnishings within the clubhouse and to make the place a modern and comfortable place to be in all year round
Yarm Tennis Club is celebrating its centenary this year having been established in 1921. It is one of the oldest clubs in the country and has been providing high quality tennis facilities to the community, now offering 9 outdoor courts, 6 of which are floodlit. Now with over 400 members we are proud to have built one of the biggest tennis communities in the area through our community and school reach and creating a warm, welcoming and inclusive atmosphere catering for all abilities. Here's a throwback to some members from 1949/50!
With sessions starting for children as young as 3 and walking tennis for those who are less mobile, the club also works closely with local schools to offer them a place to play this wonderful sport. For many local children, their first introduction to playing tennis is through our Head Coach, Anne Clayton visiting local schools or by them attending our annual open days. Our facilities are open not just to members, but also available on a pay and play basis, an option taken up by both the local community and visitors to area.
Whilst it is the love of tennis that brings people to our club, it is the people, spirit and camaraderie that gives us our biggest impact with the club being a social hub for many members and visitors. With many activities 'off-court', the club regularly runs sessions across all ages for good causes. Check out these photos from our Breast Cancer Campaign and Monster Smash events!
Our clubhouse facility has served us well over the years and has been used for many different purposes - from the basics of providing shelter from the elements to a games room and providing first aid training to members and the wider community. The club house facilities however show the club’s age and are in desperate need of renovation. Moreover, they are completely impractical for a world in which we need to social distance with a single narrow entrance to both changing rooms and toilet facilities – inconvenient for everyone and inaccessible to wheelchairs.
We want to renovate our clubhouse to make it accessible to all and to take us forward over the coming decades. This includes opening up the space in the main room which will require some internal walls to be removed, windows put in with new flooring and lighting. We also want to create a separate entrance for the two changing rooms/toilets rather than have the two rooms off one corridor; renovating both existing rooms. Creating a more modern space that can be enjoyed by more people; both members and the wider community projects will allow us to continue our vision of continuing to provide high quality facilities.
In any other year, the run up to our Centenary year would have been full of fundraising events to generate funds to be able to carry out this essential work. However, Covid has prevented much of the planned fundraising. In addition, the club lost members and income due to the various lockdown closures. We are therefore hoping that Crowdfunding will plug the gap caused by Covid and allow the club to move forward with its plans.
Tennis has the great advantage of being a naturally socially distanced sport – it was one of the first sports along with golf to be allowed after the various lockdowns. We really hope that people will support what we are trying to achieve and that any donors might come and see the club for themselves – we’d love to see you!
This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.