Tottenham park one of best for tennis in country (From Haringey Independent)

Bruce Castle Park in Tottenham one of best for tennis in country

12:10pm Saturday 12th May 2012 in News By Emma Innes

Bruce Castle Park in Tottenham has been officially recognised as one of the country’s best community facilities.

The Lawn Tennis Association and Tennis Foundation have announced that the park has been awarded Beacon status as part of the AEGON Parks Tennis programme.

To achieve this status Bruce Castle Park had to have high quality facilities, affordable coaching and regular tennis competitions for all ages.

AEGON Parks Tennis is a partner of British Tennis which aims to increase access to the sport in parks and local communities.

To celebrate the achievement local companies and over 500 people came together on Monday for a free sport and music festival.

The event included tennis, basketball, football and zumba.

Haringey tennis development officer, Siwan Stephens, along with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, have been instrumental in the development of tennis in the Haringey area and continue to work hard to make a difference in the community.

Mr Stephens said: “Over the last year White Hart Lane Tennis Club and Tottenham Hotspur Foundation have built up a low-cost coaching programme for all ages.

“A year ago most local people had never even picked up a racket. The club is now thriving with more than 200 British Tennis members.

“We hope the club will continue to expand and become central to the community.”

Tennis Foundation executive director, Geoff Newton, presented the official award and he said: “It’s important we recognise the hard work being done at tennis venues like Bruce Castle to get the whole community engaged in sport.

“I think we’ve seen here that tennis can bring people together and there is a version of tennis that suits the whole family.”