A fledgling tennis club seeking to promote Merton’s Olympic Legacy has been banned from erecting banners promoting its free tennis sessions.
The Dundonald Rec Tennis Club (DRTC) launched its Olympic Legacy Programme in June offering free after school tennis sessions to children and is set to be further expanded.
The initiative has since been praised by Merton's Olympic rower Sophie Hosking and former Wimbledon Champion Roger Federer, while the All England Tennis Club has donated equipment.
However the club were shocked to have their banners hung at Dundonald Rec Tennis Courts promoting the initiative confiscated during the Wimbledon fortnight, later told they would not be returned unless they agreed not to put them back up.
Roger Federer with Dr Ernesto Pinto, chairman of Dundonald Rec Tennis Courts
Dr Ernesto Pinto, chairman of the DRTC, said: "I was disappointed to learn that the banners promoting our sporting mission were removed during the Wimbledon fortnight.
"I immediately phoned the leader of the council who confirmed that he would "take care of the problem."
"The result was an email from Doug Napier, Merton green spaces manager, confirming that the banners had been confiscated and would be retained "until such time as you agree not to re-erect them within the park."
"It is appalling that the council is trying to stop a sporting initiative run by local volunteers from being a success."
The council stood by their decision and said the banners had been put up without their permission which is why they were taken down.
A spokeswoman said: "As with every other organisation wanting to use council-owned community sports facilities for a planned programme of activity, we have asked the tennis club to meet us to discuss times when they can use the courts.
"Unfortunately, they have chosen not to meet us, even though we have invited them to do so. Instead, the club has taken over the tennis courts at the expense of others in the community including children at Dundonald School."
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