NATIONAL LTA PRESIDENT VISITS BOVEY TRACEY TENNIS CLUB

Following the success of Bovey Tracey Tennis Club in winning the Devon LTA and then the South West Regional LTA Club of the Year for 2020 the club was honoured to have the National President of the Lawn Tennis Association make an official visit to the club on Saturday 19th September 2020.

On behalf of the Club and the Committee Chris Laycock, Chairman of Bovey Tracey Tennis Club, welcomed the President, David Rawlinson and his wife Brenda, plus the Devon LTA Chairman David Vinall to the club. Chris outlined the history of the club from its formation in 1963 and explained how the club was run by an elected group of 7 volunteers, each of whom brought different knowledge and skills to the Committee.

In the last 3 years the club and Head Coach, Ryan Bougourd, had invested significantly in improving the facilities available for the 85 adult and 100 junior members. Over £130,000 has been spent on a marquee cover for one court, resurfacing all 3 courts to the highest standard and building a new light and airy clubhouse with changing rooms, loos, disables access shower, kitchen and viewing areas. This has been possible partly because of generous grants the club has received from the Bovey Tracey Alms House Trust and Viridor Credits Environmental Company who are linked to Viridor, the waste to landfill company who operate a local site at Heathfield.

Head Coach Ryan Bougourd and one of his assistants at the club, Lesley Woolacott, organised a tennis display by 4 of the 20+ Bovey Tracey Tennis Club Academy players. Coaching is arranged for a range of age groups from 4 to 18 years old and the best can progress to the elite Academy level. In addition there is coaching for adults, Cardio Tennis fitness training and Back to Tennis sessions for adults wanting to get back into tennis.