Whitehaven's historic tennis club has made a plea for new members in order to survive.
Whitehaven Lawn Tennis Club was founded in 1941 and has been serving Whitehaven since.
It was previously known as ‘Whitehaven Social Tennis Club’, which itself is over 100 years old.
In the early years, the club was located near the Whitehaven Rugby Union ground but due to vandalism which eventually saw the clubhouse burnt down, they were forced to relocate to St Benedict’s School in 1993.
Whitehaven Academy has homed the club since 2021.
The Academy has received funding to develop its outdoor sports facilities including all-weather, floodlit, and outdoor tennis courts. This will give the club an opportunity to play tennis all year round.
The club has noted a decline in people wanting to take up tennis, treasurer Sybil Worsley said:
"The decline in tennis in our area has got worse over the years.
"Schools don’t seem to offer it much, however it is taught at Whitehaven Academy so we hope to encourage some pupils to join the club and take part in the Junior coaching on offer."
Secretary Heidi Hardy said:"After the covid era we had a really successful season and numbers were up for both juniors and seniors but last year was low.
"We need to get the word out there that there is a Tennis Club in Whitehaven and people are welcome," she said.
Starting a new sport can be daunting, but Sybil Worsley said:"Many older people decide to take up tennis again after years out and so offering senior coaching is a way of encouraging people to take up the sport again and also help incorporate them into the club by being around other members."
"We encourage new people to try tennis and by joining coaching sessions they have nothing to worry about. The club members are all very friendly and welcome new faces, they are happy to give tips, help and encourage people."
"There are players of all standards, all ages, all abilities, and all are welcome. They won’t know until they give it a try," Ms Hardsy said.
The courts are available after 4pm, Monday to Friday, and all day on weekends, starting on Monday April 17 and running through to August 31.
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