Attingham Park tennis promotion proves a big hit

Tennis Shropshire officials were delighted with the response from visitors to Attingham Park after having the chance to promote the sport at the National Trust's Game On! Weekend.

A number of volunteers and coaches from The Shrewsbury Club were at Attingham Park, near Shrewsbury, over the Bank Holiday weekend to show just how much fun playing tennis is.

The venture proved a big success with Chris Hinks, chairman of Tennis Shropshire, encouraged with the feedback he received. 

He said: "This is the first time the National Trust has organised such an event and it was a great success so we intend to support Game On! again next year.

"We used the event to not only give the public an opportunity to try fun tennis using the tennis factory but also to promote the Great British Tennis Weekends, the first of which will be held this coming Saturday and Sunday.

"On the Sunday at Attingham 50 per cent of the visitors were from out of the county, however on the Bank Holiday Monday 70 per cent were from Shropshire.

"Over 3,500 visitors attended on the Monday with approximately 750 people giving tennis a go over the two days."

The Game On! Weekend provided the chance for governing bodies of various sports within Shropshire to showcase what their sports have to offer. 

Tennis Shropshire are now finalising arrangements for Tennis in the Park at Attingham Park on June 14 and 15, an exciting initiative being introduced for the first time this year.

Mr Hinks added: "Local clubs will be supporting the event and it will be an opportunity to promote their Great British Tennis events taking place the following week." 

Meanwhile, a number of tennis clubs and venues around Shropshire are now gearing up for the opening Great British Tennis Weekend of the year this Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18.

They are among hundreds of clubs around the country which have signed up to offer free tennis as part of the LTA and Tennis Foundation’s drive to get more people playing more often.

For a full list of all the Shropshire venues involved this weekend, visit the website http://www.greatbritishtennisweekend.com/

There you will have the chance to book a free taster session at your local club and see what time slots are available. Venues will provide rackets and balls, with players of all ages and abilities welcome to take part.