University nets more time for tennis
Posted on 31 January 2014
The hard courts at York Sport Centre on the Heslington West campus are available for community and University staff and students’ use. However, until now, play has been limited in winter and unpredictable in summer due to the weather.
Thanks to the new dome, more programmes and events can be run. York Sport at the University of York has ambitious plans to increase playing and coaching opportunities, and to support local clubs and junior development through recognised Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) programmes and tennis holiday clubs.
Keith Morris, Head of Sport at the University of York, said: “Covering three of the six outdoor tennis courts is part of York Sport’s vision to inspire everyone to embrace an active lifestyle and encourage exercise.
“Thanks to the dome, we will be able to run a more sustainable programme of activities. Players at all levels, from both the local community and University, will be able to enjoy tennis all year round, whatever the weather.”
The University has invested £103,000 in the new single skin inflatable dome structure, which can be easily dismantled for the summer months. The aim is for the dome to be permanently inflated from mid-September to April/May each year, depending on the weather.
Cassandra Brown (York Sport Union President) and Keith Morris (Head of Sport) in front of the inflatable dome
Supplied by Covair Structures Ltd, the dome has the advantage of allowing the three courts’ existing floodlight to shine through.
York Sport has recently appointed a Racquet Sport Co-ordinator and a University Tennis Co-ordinator in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and both will help to deliver the aim of encouraging more participation in racquet sports.
Gavin Sutcliffe, the LTA’s Yorkshire Tennis Development Manager, said: “The University has provided the City of York with some much needed community indoor tennis facilities. This is a great opportunity to not only increase participation amongst staff and students at the University, but it will have a positive impact on the local community by providing more opportunities to play and support the existing network of outdoor clubs.”
Alistair Higham, Universities Manager, Tennis Foundation, said: "It's great to see these fantastic new facilities at the University of York. Tennis has recently seen a 26 per cent increase nationally in Higher Education participation and now students and the local community here have the chance to play more often."
In addition to six outdoor hard tennis courts, the University also offers three in-door courts.
Notes to editors:
- For more information on York Sport and the sporting and recreational activities available at the University of York visit www.york-sport.com/
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