Awards served up to Shropshire's tennis heroes

It's a joint initiative between the Lawn Tennis Association, the Tennis Foundation, partner Aegon and 40 county-national tennis associations, including Shropshire.

The awards recognise and champion volunteers who deliver tennis in communities across Great Britain.

The Shropshire winners received their awards at a special presentation night held at The Shrewsbury Club.

They will now go through to a regional judging panel with the winners announced in April. A national ceremony will then be held in London in June 2016.

Bob Kerr, the new chairman of Tennis Shropshire, said: "Without any of these people, tennis in the county would be in a much poorer state and the opportunities for others would not be so great.

"All of the winners really do deserve to be recognised for their dedication and service to the sport."

The Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Alan and Carol Pritchard, the driving forces behind Wrekin Tennis Club.

They are the chairman, secretary, social committee, supporters, organisers, representatives and voices for the club rolled into one.

Even during a challenging period when the club had no courts to play on and a dwindling membership, the couple never gave up hope.

Their relentless search for a new location and negotiating skills successfully secured a new site to rehouse the club so that they kept their existing members.

Chairman Kerr said: "In terms of effort, time and commitment to their club, it's virtually endless.

"They are always the first to step forward and volunteer and they fill so many roles between them. They truly are the voice of the club."

Clive Knight from Oswestry Team Tennis was presented with the Volunteer Award.

He runs many tournaments for different age groups of children not only at his club but other nearby clubs, also arranging a local league in the autumn for match play opportunities.

He is also the chief organiser of the Oswestry Community Games, now into its third year, which is aimed at encouraging more people to be more active and to have a go at different sports.

The Young Volunteer Award went to Dylan Gillett of Telford Community Tennis Club.

Having progressed from their coaching programme, he now helps out every week, assisting the coaches and players.

His good attitude with the children and mini-players ensures he gets on well with them and their parents.

Church Stretton Tennis Club's Lucy Taylor was named as Coach of the Year.

She has brought a fresh lease of life to the club at all levels with her junior coaching sessions enjoyed by many local children while her services are in demand from local schools.

The club's ladies team, led by Lucy, have won their league with her record the best in the division.

Even adults who have been members for years are now experimenting with coaching-tennis drills to improve their enjoyment.

The Club Award was scooped by Telford Community Tennis Club which operates from three park sites across Telford, organising activities at each venue.

Formed in 2007, it was the first community club in Shropshire and since its inception they have operated a truly inclusive policy of providing club based activities at an affordable price.

A full social, coaching and competitive programme is available to members at less than £1 per week for adults and £1 per month for juniors.

They have also become renowned for taking tennis to the people by attending community events to promote the sport. Wellington's Bowing Park scooped the Community Venue Award.

They have four well maintained floodlit courts, open throughout the year, and two well kept grass courts for the summer.

Bowring Park also has an onsite café, recently refurbished toilet facilities, plenty of parking, easy disabled access, an adjacent outdoor gym and children's play area to enhance the playing facilities.

Tennis is free of charge – even the use of the floodlights – to the public at any time, with Bowing Park home to the local Community Tennis Club who use the facility two days per week.

The winners of the Disability Programme Award were Shropshire Wheelchair Tennis Group.

That has grown from strength to strength and now boasts nearly 20 members, who meet up weekly for coaching and match-play.

The focus of the group is developing the sport and they are always looking to promote the game and get more people playing.

Sally Harris from Newport's Burton Borough School claimed the Education Award.

It's recognition for the 'Beyond the Baseline' programme, devised to target a group of Year 9 girls who were not the most highly motivated towards Physical Education.

The whole profile of tennis has been raised in school and an after school coaching session was supported by the county LTA, with a leaders' course for the more enthusiastic girls.

The plan is now to further links with local club Boughey Gardens and continue to offer a social tennis club as part of the This Girl Can campaign.

All the awards were presented by Liz Boyle, the president of Tennis Shropshire.