Wanborough Tennis Club serves up success with prestigious LTA status

Councillor Matthew Vallender, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for leisure and sport, and Councillor Matt Hinton, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Safety and Services and ward councillor for Chiseldon and Ridgeway, recently visited the club to congratulate Head Coach Becky Watts and club members on the achievement.

The designation follows a rigorous selection process carried out by the LTA and recognises both the quality of coaching at the club and its growing reputation for developing talented young players.

The programme, which began this month, will provide aspiring young tennis players from across Wiltshire with access to high-quality performance coaching closer to home. The next nearest LTA performance centre is around an hour away, making Wanborough’s appointment a significant boost for families across the county.

Head Coach Becky has been coaching at Wanborough for almost 20 years and will lead the programme. The club already boasts some of the country’s most promising young players, including an Under 10 national champion, with several youngsters progressing through county, regional and national development pathways.

The new status will help raise the profile of both the club and the area, supporting the development of the next generation of tennis talent, while creating further opportunities for participation in the sport.

Councillor Matthew Vallender, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for leisure and sport, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Becky, the coaching team and everyone involved at Wanborough Tennis Club. Being recognised by the LTA as a performance centre reflects years of dedication to developing young players and creating opportunities for children to enjoy and excel in sport.

“Having a centre of this calibre in the Borough means talented young tennis players from our communities and across Wiltshire can access elite coaching and development opportunities without having to travel long distances. It’s inspiring to see local youngsters progressing through county, regional and national pathways, and this programme will help even more young people achieve their potential in the years ahead.”

Councillor Matt Hinton, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Safety and Services and ward councillor for Chiseldon and Ridgeway, said: “For a relatively small community club to achieve this level of recognition is incredibly impressive. Wanborough Tennis Club has built a strong reputation through hard work, ambition and a commitment to supporting young people, and this designation is thoroughly deserved.

“It’s a real feather in the cap for Wanborough and for Swindon as a whole. The club is now firmly on the map as a centre of excellence for junior tennis, and everyone connected with it should be extremely proud of what has been achieved.”

Becky Watts, Head Coach at Wanborough Tennis Club, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been appointed as an LTA performance centre for Under 10 players. It’s a huge endorsement of the work that has been taking place at the club over many years and of the dedication shown by our young players and their families.

“We want to create opportunities for children at every level, whether they want to play once a week with friends or have ambitions of progressing through county, regional and national programmes. We’re excited to welcome talented young players from across Wiltshire and help them develop their game in a supportive and inspiring environment.”

Club chairman, Tim Thurston added “We have worked hard as a club and with the Parish Council to create great facilities for Wanborough and Swindon residents and appreciate both Wanborough Parish and Swindon Borough Council’s support with this opportunity.”

The initial agreement with the LTA runs for two years and will support the continued growth of junior tennis at Wanborough Tennis Club, helping more young people get active, build confidence and reach their full potential on court.