A tennis club which has served as an affordable lifeline to the community, has launched a desperate appeal to raise £35,000.
Worcester Park Tennis Club, which has served the local area for more than 105 years, is at risk, volunteers have warned.
Hidden behind Worcester Park railway station, the community group encourages parents to pick up a racket and join their children on court, rather than wait in their cars outside.
Sadly, the volunteer-run club could be forced to stop welcoming new members due to its ageing courts.
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“We don’t have a lot of parents pulling up outside like David Lloyd,” said Chris Hoskins, coach at Worcester Park Tennis Club. “The parents stay and play with the kids.”
The club now supports around 100 local young tennis players. However, the club fears that unless it can raise the £35,000 needed to fully resurface its two hard courts, it will be unable to continue to develop the stars of tomorrow.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) on the club’s much-loved but patchy courts, Chris said: “If we lose this there is a 100 per cent guarantee some children in this local area will not try out tennis.”
Unlike larger commercial clubs, Worcester Park remains committed to providing an affordable place where local families can enjoy the sport without the burden of expensive membership fees or long-term commitments.
The club offers flexible coaching sessions that can be booked individually, removing one of the barriers that often prevents newcomers from taking up the sport.
“In other clubs you have to pay a lot of money to find out you don’t actually like tennis,” Chris commented.
According to parents such as Naomi Walker, this model is a major draw, offering greater flexibility in a sport often seen as expensive and difficult to access.
“It is not this big onerous commercial enterprise,” said Naomi. “This place proves tennis is not only for privileged kids.”
“Our membership is very family-friendly compared with other clubs. That keeps people here,” said club member Sue Hardy.
Members believe this approach sets the club apart, giving it a unique appeal in an area known as a popular place for families to raise children.
While it counts members of all ages, with its eldest being 75 years old, the club holds up the junior programme as its real success story.
Through weekly sessions and popular summer camps, the club has built a strong contingent of young players, many of whom walk to the club from the surrounding area.
Twelve-year-old tennis player Chloe Fourie is looking forward to a long summer of tennis at the club alongside her younger sibling.
She has been coached by Chris since joining the club aged 10. “I have learnt a lot playing here,” she said. “Chris makes it fun.”
The club also has high ambitions for its growing junior programme, with two young players now competing in the Play Your Way to Wimbledon tournament.
“It is just the dream of it that gets them excited,” Chris said, before joking: “If anyone becomes a champion, I want some of that prize money because I started them on that course.”
Chris is also passionate about encouraging girls to remain involved in tennis, warning that many drop out of the sport as they get older. “Girls sometimes drop away from the sport, which is such a shame,” he said.
Naomi and fellow parent Assiya Farrell both spoke about the positive impact the club has had on their children. Naomi said: “The club has transformed my weekend, it’s like I have a different child now.”
For members, it’s clear the club represents the starting point of a lifelong relationship with the sport. Committee member Carol Rhia said: “When you go to Wimbledon it is great, but this is proper grassroots tennis. Where it all starts.”
Chris added: “Champions always start out somewhere, often in a smaller club like this. We must not forget that.”
The club was founded in 1921 by First World War veterans seeking health, friendship and community after returning home. It is part of the wider Worcester Park Athletic Club, which also has football and cricket teams.
Despite its long history, the deteriorating condition of its two courts now threatens the club’s future. The courts were last resurfaced around 30 years ago and are now showing significant and potentially dangerous signs of wear.
Both courts are covered with uneven patch repairs where previous attempts have been made to extend their lifespan. Nearby tree roots from beside the railway line have also started pushing upwards beneath the surface, creating dangerous bumps for players.
“It needs resurfacing,” Chris said. “It has already been patched more than once.”
He added that the patched areas can become slippery when wet. “Another winter and it will not be safe for kids,” he warned.
The club has been quoted £35,000 to fully resurface both courts. This work would also see a trench dug to prevent roots from growing back beneath the new surface.
In response, the club launched a fundraising campaign last month, which has so far raised almost £4,000 with the help of a local open day, support from residents and an online fundraising page.
They have received vocal support from local MPs and Sutton councillors, and are seeking partnerships with local businesses and organisations within the tennis community.
The club is also actively pursuing grant funding to help cover the cost of the resurfacing work. “It doesn’t matter how much help you give,” said Chris.
“As long as we get help these courts survive. I will be happily dead and buried, and there will be still be people coming here.”
To donate, visit here.
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