Hove Park Tennis Courts now being run by the community !

Even this great summer of tennis weather with long evenings and endless days of sunshine can not outshine the tremendous achievement of Hove Park Tennis Alliance and their recent endorsement by the council to run the local courts. Twelve months ago the tennis courts in Hove Park were used by disparate groups barely crossing paths, they became joined together by the threat of council cuts to public services and the common desire to save the public courts. After a year of hard work started by forming a functioning committee the local tennis community has been bought together, identified common goals and established a programme of play and coaching that will safeguard the courts into the future. 

The HPTA's attached proposal, that was presented to the council, demonstrates a well thought through approach to achieving sustainability, engaging all members of the community, reaching out to minority groups and defining the untapped opportunities. The webcast of the councillors decision is worth viewing, it is so supportive of the initative and their commitment to ensure the facilities that are handover to HPTA are fit for purpose. 

Everyone involved should be commended, achieving so much from a standing start demonstrates what can be realised when the tennis community comes together. I am sure everyone hopes that other sites across the city will emerge with similar proposals to save the cities tennis courts.  A huge well done !