Players welcome tennis court revamp
Tuesday August 17, 2010
Tennis in Fulham, already in good health judging by the success of an amateur league, could go from strength to strength thanks to a planned refurbishment of one of the borough’s most popular venues.
The Bishop’s Park Tennis League just completed its fourth round of games with a record 33 players signed up, and now the park’s courts are to undergo a major £378,000 upgrade this autumn, funded by Hammersmith & Fulham Council, the Queen’s Club and the Tennis Foundation.
Floodlights will be introduced and courts will be resized and resurfaced, which could attract even more players to the league, which has its next round from August 16 onwards.
Nigel Billen, 51, who organises the league and many others across London with his partner Sally Kinnes, 56, said: “It will be one of the best places to play tennis in London.
“It should be a fantastic venue and it could help us as a tennis nation. I genuinely believe the next generation of tennis talent might not come out of tennis clubs but from park tennis like this.”
League member, Bruce Millar, 52, of Dymock Street, Fulham, plays in the same division as his son Darcy, 19, and is convinced the courts are in need of the renovation, which begins in September and which will be phased to ensure some of the courts always remain open.
He said: “The courts at South Park where I often play were redone two years ago, but the Bishop’s Park courts have become worn out. I’m happy that something is being done about it.”
The existing 15 courts will be turned into 12 full-size adult courts and four junior courts with floodlights installed on five so they can stay open until
8pm instead of 4pm in winter months.
There will be more distance between courts to fit the minimum standards of the Lawn Tennis Association and root barriers will also be installed to maintain the courts’ integrity.
Nigel and Sally started their first league in north London, where they live, to allow amateur players to more easily arrange competitive games and now run 23 in inner and outer London.
The winner of the latest round in the Bishop’s Park top division, one of five, was Nathan Sullivan, 25, who lives in Hammersmith and who cruised to straight-sets victories in his three games.
Due to the refurbishment, some games in the next round will be played at South Park and Ravenscourt Park courts, but once the new courts are complete, membership could boom.
Nigel said: “Everyone will turn up and play casually at first, which could make it harder to book courts for the league. Once it settles down, you should get more people wanting to play tennis on a regular basis.”
Sally added: “The more people we have, the easier it is to match up people of equal abilities. It’s always nice to have to adjust your style when playing against new players as well.”
Bruce is certain to sign up, even if it’s only to get revenge on his son, who beat him during the last round.
He said: “It can add an extra bit of spice to the games. There tends to be a little bit more swearing going on.”
H&F cabinet member Greg Smith added: “This is excellent news for everyone who enjoys playing tennis. There are so many wonderful sporting facilities in Hammersmith & Fulham and we are delighted that we will soon be able to add these new tennis courts to that list.”
For further information on the league, visit localtennisleagues.com. To book a court send an email to: sportsbookings@lbhf.gov.uk.
