100 years ago today: The tennis match that marked the last hurrah of Harrogate’s golden eraPlans resubmitted to build two padel tennis courts in HarrogateHarrogate tennis player trains with champions at WimbledonPlans approved to convert Tockwith tennis court into multi-use games pitch

A planning application to convert existing tennis courts into a multi-use games pitch in Tockwith has been approved.

The plan, which was tabled to North Yorkshire Council in January, outlines plans to re-surface the two current tennis courts, install LED floodlights and erect new fencing.

The Stray Ferret reported on the proposal in February and spoke to Mike Corbett, chair of Tockwith Sportsfield Trust, which submitted the application.

Mr Corbett said at the time the new site would have an all-weather surface, adding:

“The current tennis courts are hard courts, but the surface is poor and weeds are coming through.

“Of course, we’re doing this to improve the club itself, but also to attract young people and give them something to do, rather than just being on their phones.”

A drawing of the proposed new site.

He said the new pitch will be suitable for tennis and five-aside football, adding the trust also planned to install basketball provisions at the open-air site.

Mr Corbett previously told the Stray Ferret the new fencing could also make the pitch suitable for padel tennis.

The trust planned to fund the project partly through section 106 monies, paid by developers who are building new housing developments in the village.

It will also be funded by the football club and Tockwith Festival. North Yorkshire Council approved the plans on Monday, April 22.

The Stray Ferret contacted Tockwith Sportsfield Trust about the approval, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

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Knaresborough tennis club to host open day

A Knaresborough tennis club is having an open day event this weekend.

Knaresborough King James’ Tennis Club is set to have open courts on Sunday, April 7, from midday to 4pm in the grounds of King James’ School.

The club was formed in 2011 as a collaboration between Knaresborough Tennis Club and King James’ School.

Club Chair Mike Forster said:

“Knaresborough is a close community and yet we attract members from a much wider area thanks to the welcome they receive – plus of course the chance to play socially and competitively and take part in our annual John Forster Tournament. Not to mention professional coaching.

“Our commitment to a friendly but competitive environment is evident from the Fair Play Award and social sessions are consistently well-attended by players of all ages. If you fancy a change of scenery or are picking up your racket again after a break, however rusty you are do come and join us this Sunday. You might just find yourself part of a winning team.”

The club has over 90 members ranging from students to retirees and offers social tennis sessions three times a week.

King James’ is the only Knaresborough club with Starbeck as their closest tennis club, which it competes with in the local derby.

The club has seven porous macadam courts and has regular club and match play. It had a triple success last year when Its mixed, men’s and ladies’ teams all won division 3 of their respective Harrogate and York Leagues. The trophies will be displayed at the Open Day.

The ladies’ squad was also awarded the first ever Fair Play Award from the Fulford Ladies’ Invitation Tennis League.

A just for fun tournament will be held in the afternoon and there is no need to bring a partner. Refreshments will be provided, and visitors can meet club members.

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Harrogate Spa Tennis Club unveils new pavilion and padel courts

Harrogate Spa Tennis Club has unveiled brand-new facilities that it says bring it a major step closer to achieving its aim of becoming a centre of excellence for sport. 

The club already had six tennis courts, but now has a larger pavilion with shop, Break Point café, bar and terrace overlooking the tennis courts, full LED floodlighting, improved parking, and two new padel courts. Padel is a sport similar to tennis but played with a solid, stringless racquet, in an enclosed court like squash. 

Photo of four players posing for the camera at the ate to one of the new padel courts at Harrogate Spa Tennis Club.

The new padel courts are already attracting players from across the region.

Jacqui Collyns, who took over as centre manager in February, said: 

“There’s nowhere like this within a 100-mile radius – Harrogate seems to be becoming the North’s padel capital. We’ve only been open for three weeks and we’ve already got ‘repeat customers’ coming from as far afield as Leeds and Pontefract. 

“This is a real ‘wow’ space. But it’s not just about tennis and padel – we’ve got plans to expand it for other uses too. This is very much phase one. It’s all part of a 10-year plan to turn this club into a centre of excellence for sport.” 

Run as a charity by volunteers, Harrogate Spa Tennis Club is understood to have paid a seven-figure sum for the nine-month programme of improvements through donations, fundraising and a small loan from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). 

Photo of people sitting in the sun and drinking at café-style tables on the new terrace at Harrogate Spa Tennis Club.

The club has a strong sense of community, and provides junior tennis coaching to year groups at Harrogate High School (pictured on the horizon).

Jacqui said: 

“A special mention should go to the volunteers and trustees. They’ve really made this happen, and have just given and given and given. They’ve never had a salary. They really are remarkable people who just want to give something back, and you don’t often get that these days.” 

The club, which is located off the end of Claro Road, offers tennis and padel on a pre-booked pay-and-play basis, and professional tennis coaching is also available. It also provides free coaching to year groups from Harrogate High School, holds weekly tennis fun sessions for children with learning disabilities, and all its facilities are wheelchair-accessible. 

Jacqui said: 

“This club is all about community. It was founded 76 years ago as a club for everybody, and that’s what it still is. Membership costs just £20 a month, and you can bring the kids along too. It’s incredible.” 

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New £70,000 tennis courts open in Dacre with free taster sessions

State-of-the-art sports facilities have arrived in Nidderdale, with the laying of three brand-new artificial grass tennis courts at Dacre Tennis Club. 

The new ‘Savanna’ playing surfaces have replaced old and worn tarmac courts at a cost of £70,000.

The sum was paid for by a combination of cash, grants and loans from various sources.

Dacre & Hartwith Playing Fields Association, which owns the Max Pullan Recreation Ground where the club is based, contributed over £8,000, the North Yorkshire County Council’s Locality Budget provided a grant of £1,000, and a sizeable donation was also made by a club member.

Other members provided 10-year loans to the club, which itself also contributed reserves built up for the purpose and sold some 10-year memberships to make up the shortfall. 

Club committee member Charles Andrew said: 

“It’s a big investment, but the club is a real hub for tennis in the middle and upper dale and an important facility for all the people and villages there. 

“It’s a lovely surface to play on and some club members went and tested it out and were really impressed.” 

A ground-level view of members playing on the new artificial grass courts at Dacre Tennis Club in Nidderdale.

Dacre Tennis Club is volunteer-run and holds frequent social tennis sessions, runs competitions, and competes in local leagues.  

To introduce players to the new courts, volunteers will be opening up the club up for some free, informal Come-and-Play tennis sessions, starting from this weekend.  

Club secretary Jane Robinson said: 

“It’s a really exciting project and we’re hoping to attract lots of new members.” 

The sessions will be held at the following times: 

The club suggests people bring their trainers or tennis shoes and a racket if they have one; if they don’t, they may borrow one from the club. 

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Popularity of Harrogate’s premium indoor padel tennis centre continues to ‘surge’

This story is sponsored by Surge Padel.

The UK’s largest premium indoor padel tennis centre has ‘surged’ in popularity, with players travelling from across the country for games.

Based at Harrogate’s Hornbeam Park, Surge Padel has grown to 1,400 members, with its six courts often fully booked.

Owner and CEO Stuart Perrin said members often play up to four times a week and he puts the sport’s popularity down to its simplicity.

He said:

“You serve underhand and the ball stays in play a lot longer than tennis. It’s a lot less technical, so people of all ages and abilities can play. It’s also super social as you play in pairs. Once you’ve played a few times you just keep coming back.”

A mashup of tennis and squash that originated in Mexico, padel has been described as one of the world’s fastest growing sports.

It is played between four players on reduced-size tennis courts. Competitors use paddle racquets and can bounce the ball off walls.

Since November 2020, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has been the national governing body for the sport when it was officially recognised as a discipline of tennis. This has opened the door for greater recognition, support and funding.

Mr Perrin said:

“Because it is so fresh in the UK, we get people travelling to play. We get people from Middlesbrough and the far side of Leeds regularly.

“There aren’t facilities like this anywhere else, especially fully indoors.

“We have people coming from far and wide. I would say around 900 of our members are from the Harrogate district and the rest are from further afield.”

Surge Padel, which is located above Coach gym, is now a centre of excellence for the UK is fully affiliated with the LTA. It has hosted European Championships and events are held at the club most weekends.

Mr Perrin said:

“We are the largest padel tennis club in the UK and are member based. We’ve only been open since January 2022 and it is now getting really difficult to book a court on an evening, as it’s so popular. If we could have built a bigger site, we would have done!

“We have got a further four centres opening in 2023. One of those will hopefully be in Leeds.

“We offer state-of-the-art facilities at an affordable price.”

Book your court space or join as a member for the best benefits. Find out more and join the fastest growing sport in the UK.

First tennis tournament held in memory of Knaresborough headteacher

A tennis tournament created in memory of a Knaresborough headteacher was held for the first time this week.

Knaresborough King James Tennis Club hosted the tournament following the death of John Forster at the age of 85.

Mr Forster, who was headteacher at King James’s School for 16 years, had a passion for tennis and championed the sport to the point where the school’s teams reached national and regional finals.

He was also a founding member of Knaresborough Tennis Club.

The very first John Forster tournament was organised by John’s son Mike Forster.

On setting up the tournament, Mike said:

“Dad loved his sport, being a devoted runner, tennis player and Leeds United fan.

“His contribution to KKJTC over the years is incalculable and I’m absolutely thrilled that the club decided to create this tournament in his memory.”

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Although very close-fought, the inaugural event was won by Andy Little and Jeanette Bowden, stalwarts of KKJTC’s mixed teams competing in the Harrogate District Tennis League.

Mike added:

“It was without doubt the best turnout we’ve ever had for a club tournament with dozens of participants, so I’d like to thank everyone who took part for a fitting tribute to Dad. He would have been competing if he could.

“He was always passionate about getting people involved in sport, especially pupils from local schools, and he would have been very pleased to know that the tournament will be contested every year now.

“We are proud that our club reflects my dad’s principles of being friendly and welcoming to all standards of player, so if anyone would like to join us, do please get in touch.”

Harrogate to host £3,000 pro padel tennis tournament

Harrogate is set to host some of the country’s best padel tennis players for a major tournament.

Surge Padel launched in the space above Coach gym at Hornbeam Park in January as the UK’s largest premium indoor padel tennis centre — it has six indoor courts.

Padel tennis is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. Surge Padel has sought to put Harrogate at the centre of that growing interest with its modern facilities.

Home Of Padel, the UK’s top padel event organiser, selected Surge Padel for its next competition on October 8 and 9.

The winner will take home a £3,000 prize.

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HOP has worked with Surge Padel before for its new-to-advanced players and women-only tournaments. But this is the first time the professional tournament has come to Harrogate.

John Leach, Team GB’s padel coach, and Javi Serrats, who has had success in the professional padel game, are behind HOP.

Mr Serrats said:

“Padel is played on a court the third of the size of a standard tennis court. The mass appeal of it is that any age and ability can play.

“The tournament in October is an official event counting towards UK rankings and includes £3,000 of prize money. The tournament will showcase the best padel players in the country.”