BECOMING a top tennis player takes dedication, hard work and practice all year round. Kington Tennis Club has given local children and teenagers the best chance to take their skills to the next level, running a professional winter tennis course thanks to a grant from the Kingspan Insulation Community Trust.

Kington Tennis Club is based at the Lady Hawkins’ Community Leisure Centre and provides facilities for players of all ages and abilities, from tots to the adult leagues, with four outdoor hard courts.

The short days and often wet and windy weather mean that indoor sessions are one of the best ways for players to train during the winter months. The club organised indoor mini tennis and teen tennis sessions with £471 in funding from the Kingspan Insulation Community Trust.

Teen tennis is played on full sized courts while mini tennis sessions use smaller courts, lower bouncing balls, shorter rackets and modified scoring to allow children as young as four to take part.

Steve Hodges from Kington Tennis Club commented "It was great to see children of a wide range of ages taking part in tennis. As well as improving their skills, many of the children developed strong friendships during the course. We worked closely with the local schools to help maximise uptake in the scheme and a number of the youngsters are now members at the club".

John Garbutt, chairman of the Kingspan Insulation Community Trust commented "We were very happy to be able support Kington Tennis Club’s efforts to provide high quality training throughout the winter. All-weather provision is really important to enable children to stay fit and healthy and the sessions offered a chance for the young people to reach their full potential."