Residents in the borough are set to benefit from more opportunities to improve their health and wellbeing through tennis following the announcement of a new contract to run two council-owned tennis facilities.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has awarded the National Tennis Association the contract to run the Tennis Centre at the War Memorial Park and the recently refurbished courts at Stratton Park for the next 10 years, with the opportunity to extend for a further five years.

The National Tennis Association will take over the facilities from January 2024 and has exciting plans to enhance and transform them into vibrant hubs for both the community and tennis excellence catering for all beginners, enthusiasts and seasoned players alike.

Plans include linking both facilities allowing tennis users to connect, book courts and enrol in a range of coaching programmes. They also plan to work with communities to encourage more people into the sport.

Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture Cllr Kerry Morrow said: “Our Tennis Centre at the War Memorial Park and our newly refurbished courts at Stratton Park are already very popular with established tennis players, as well as those people learning the sport. As a council we are keen to build on this and encourage more people to play tennis and other forms of racket sports to support their health and wellbeing.

“We are delighted to have awarded the contract to manage both sites to National Tennis Association who have exciting plans to encourage more people to get involved in tennis. We would also like to thank Totally Tennis for their contribution to tennis development while running the facilities.”

National Tennis Association Director Ed Nieburg said: “This new agreement brings a comprehensive an accessible tennis offer to Basingstoke and Deane, opening tennis up to everyone in the local community and creating the platform to allow many more people to experience the mental and physical health benefits the sport can bring. National Tennis Association’s vision is to develop, inspire and educate more people into tennis. It’s great, through this partnership, to have the unique opportunity to join up tennis at both the indoor centre and park site into a unified tennis offer for the local community to enjoy.”

Information on the tennis program and activities to be delivered by National Tennis Association will be available soon. More information on National Tennis Association can be found at Home - National Tennis Association