Tennis in the Square set to serve up a treat

There will be a tennis takeover of The Square in Shrewsbury this weekend as part of Tennis Shropshire’s ongoing quest to persuade more people to pick up a racket.

A fun Tennis in the Square event to coincide with the first weekend of the 2014 Wimbledon Championships has been arranged and it will take place in the heart of Shrewsbury town centre this Sunday between 11am and 4pm.

It is the latest exciting initiative by Tennis Shropshire following the success of their Tennis in the Park event at Attingham Park earlier this month.

They also recently held a Tennis in the Square event in Ludlow which was well received by locals.

Chris Hinks, chairman of Tennis Shropshire, said he hoped as many newcomers to tennis as possible would be persuaded to give the sport a go this weekend when they pass through the town centre.

Fun equipment provided by the Tennis Factory will ensure it’s an event which will appeal to all ages irrespective of any tennis background.

He added: “We’re really looking forward to Tennis in the Square in Shrewsbury and it is a tremendous setting to play some tennis.

“We will have the Tennis Factory equipment there which will make it a real fun event, ideal for all the family and people of all ages.

“We are working with clubs in and around the town, inviting them to come along to help people use the equipment, and at the same time advertise their own clubs to potential new members.

“Tennis in the Park at Attingham went very well and we are always keen to take tennis to people and make it more widely available with events like this.

“We recently held a Tennis in the Square event in Ludlow and that was a great success, busy and very enjoyable, and I’m sure this Sunday in Shrewsbury will be just the same.”

Sunday’s event has been organised by Tennis Shropshire in partnership with both Shropshire Council and also Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, the county sports partnership for Shropshire.

It promises to be a busy weekend for local tennis lovers as the third of four Great Tennis Weekends across the country will also be staged on Saturday and Sunday.

A number of Shropshire clubs are making their facilities available free of charge as part of the LTA and Tennis Foundation’s drive to get more people playing more often.

Whitchurch’s Hollies Tennis Club are throwing open their doors on both Saturday and Sunday while there’s free tennis on offer on Sunday at Telford Tennis Centre, Telford Community Tennis Club, Alveley Lawn Tennis Club and Newport’s Boughey Gardens Tennis Club.

Visit the website http://www.greatbritishtennisweekend.com/ for full details where you will also have the chance to book a free taster session at your local club and see what time slots are available.

Venues will provide rackets and balls, with players of all ages and abilities welcome to take part.

Pictured: Looking forward to Tennis in the Square in Shrewsbury on Sunday are, from left, Jane Halliday, Evie Allmark and Emma Halliday, members of Shrewsbury Lawn Tennis Club. Picture by Richard Dawson.