With Wimbledon fever in the air there are many opportunities to play tennis in Sandwell. People can turn up and play at one of the many free to use tennis courts in Redhouse Park, West Bromwich, Brunswick Park and Hill Top Park, Wednesbury, Britannia Park and Haden Hill Park, Rowley, Victoria Park, Tipton, and Victoria Park, Smethwick.
People who don’t have a racket but still want to play can do so for free at sessions delivered by the council’s partners Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) at Brunswick Park every Sunday between 10am and 12pm.
To join in this session book online www.brunswickparktennis.co.uk or just turn up at Redhouse Park on a Wednesday for free family tennis between 6pm and 7:30pm.
Enthusiasts – children or adults - who want to improve their game can do so for just £2.50 a week at SLT coached sessions at Brunswick Park and Redhouse Park.
Those wanting to perfect volleys or ace serves can book on to the sessions by visiting www.tennisinsandwell.net and selecting the park you wish to attend.
Should the Great British Summer weather strike you can also move indoors. Places for People Leisure (PfP) offer mini tennis sessions aimed at children eight years and under at West Bromwich Leisure Centre at a cost of £18 per month. For more information visit www.placesforpeopleleisure.org.
Sandwell is also host to the Community Indoor Tennis Centre for the Black Country at Tipton Sports Academy. This excellent facility, operated by SLT, holds international competitions and offers you the opportunity to play on six top quality indoor tennis courts.
For the next seven weeks you can play on the same courts as the professionals for the reduced rate of £5 per hour from 9am till 12pm during the week and £10 per hour (or £7.50 for families with a junior) during the weekend.
Coaching is also available at Tipton Sports Academy for all ages and abilities, with their lead coach Craig Unitt recently being awarded the prestigious LTA award of Coach of the Year for the Midlands region.
Councillor Richard Marshall, cabinet member for leisure, said: “It’s great that Sandwell residents have the opportunity to play tennis all across the borough at a range of levels.
“Tennis is a great way to get active and to have fun as a family and Sandwell Council is committed to ensuring that our residents have opportunity to do so.”