Three family tennis memberships at Grantham Tennis Club to win

To celebrate re-opening its courts and the club’s sixth birthday on Sunday, Grantham Tennis Club is giving the chance for three lucky families to win a year’s family tennis membership.

The club is also offering a discounted June family tennis membership for £25.

Tennis was declared a ‘safe sport’ by the Government on May 13. Grantham Tennis Club re-opened for outdoor tennis the following day with strict guidelines to make playing tennis safe.

Two people only are allowed on the court unless from the same household, when four are allowed.

As well as observing the social distancing rules and public health hygiene guidelines that everyone is used to at the supermarket, the LTA (tennis’ national governing body) has introduced other new procedures for playing tennis during the lockdown. These include no shaking hands or high fives at the end, only handling your tennis balls (players mark with initials) and avoiding changing ends or change at the opposite of the net.

The club has worked very hard to ensure it can open the courts safely (the clubhouse, indoor courts, gym, café and art gallery remain shut). It has introduced a booking scheme that is accessed by ringing or emailing the club so that only those playing tennis are on-site and the club knows who they are and are confident that all the LTA and club players’ essential guidance has been read.

Players can go straight to the court unless they need to buy tennis balls, which are sold safely through the temporary reception.

Club manager Sarah Patton said: “We take our responsibility very seriously in ensuring all is done to keep tennis a safe sport and, although there are restrictions, people are delighted to get on to court.”

Good mental health and wellbeing are essential for all, and tennis, like other sports, can help with that. It boosts one’s mood, raises self-esteem, relieves stress and anxiety and reduces the risk of depression.

Community and wellbeing are essential to the club. It was the recipient of the LTA regional Disability Programme of the Year award and is waiting to see if it has won the national award.

The offer – family tennis membership in June - costs £25 (includes up to two children). For extra children there is an additional £4 to pay for primary school children and £7.50 for secondary school children. No joining fee. Families can play tennis at the club every day in June for £25. A family tennis membership usually costs £47 per month (primary school children) or £54 per month (secondary school children).

Rackets are included in the prize of a year’s family membership (including two adults and two mini/junior).

To enter the competition, head to the club’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/granthamtennisclubandgym) and like and share the pinned post. Alternatively, like and retweet the pinned tweet on its Twitter profile (www.twitter.com/granthamtennis). You can also send an email to info@granthamtennisclub.co.uk if you do not use social media.

To join the club, send an email to info@granthamtennisclub.co.uk or call 01476 591391.