Tennis Open Day at Bethnal Green Gardens

The spirit of Wimbledon has come to Bethnal Green Gardens after a community tennis programme and upgraded facilities were launched.

Tennis Open Day at Bethnal Green Gardens

To mark the occasion a free open day was put on last week which saw hundreds of children pick up a racket, many of them for the first time.

Community Tennis Project Manager, Rachael Porsz, said: “The day was a big success. We had several hundred kids and adults attending, and the place was buzzing.

“We managed to avoid the rain apart from one downpour and despite this everyone jumped back on court at the earliest possibility.”

The day featured also tennis facilities such as a tennis target wall and a bouncy castle and food outlets.

Not-for-profit organisation Tower Hamlets Tennis, which helped organiser the day, aims to provide accessible, inclusive and enjoyable tennis to anyone wanting to pick up a racket.

They are offering a series of fun community tennis programmes currently based at Bethnal Green Gardens and Victoria Park, and plan to expand their programmes out to Poplar and King Edward Memorial Park.

Tower Hamlets Council has invested £10,000 in Bethnal Green Gardens and the Lawn Tennis Association, with support from Sport England, have invested a further £19,740 in Bethnal Green Gardens and £86,261 in Victoria Park to provide upgraded tennis facilities.

Visit www.towerhamletstennis.org.uk to find out more or to book courts.

Register at www.allplaytennis.com to find a playing partner, a local court or coach.