Last call for tickets for the annual Xmas lunch
There are a few spaces left for the annual Xmas lunch at The Queen’s Club on December 2nd. Tickets are priced at £95 plus VAT with a discount for TIA members. The guest this year is Andrew Castle, former UK number one tennis player and distinguished broadcaster.
To reserve your place contact phil@tiauk.org as soon as possible
LTA commits more funding for universities
The LTA has unveiled an increase in funding for British university tennis and padel. The total funding support for the next cycle to the end of the 2028-29 academic year amounts to £1.6m, representing an increase of 15 per cent from the previous funding cycle. LTA funding will be match-funded by universities, unlocking a further £1.6m for university tennis setups to invest across their programmes of work.
The funding will be spread across the LTA’s partner universities, the number of which is set to grow from 32 to 50 nationwide by the end of the cycle. Partner universities have become key elements of British tennis, not just in producing players competing on the ATP and WTA Tours, but also in developing the next generation of tennis coaches and administrators, and playing a vital role in facility development for tennis and padel.
The next funding cycle from 2026 to 2029 will prioritise the growth of people-focused programmes at universities, homing in on projects that: grow participation among students and wider communities; grow the tennis and padel workforce across coaching, administration, and facility management; and enhance competitions at all levels of the student game.
Will Roberts, CEO of British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) said, “We are delighted to see the ongoing investment of the LTA into University Tennis through to 2029. This investment provides BUCS member universities the confidence that they are making a difference to participation levels and supporting the development of the next generation of leaders in the sport.
Colin Corline appointed Chair of BSI Technical Committee
SAPCA’s Technical Lead, Coline Corline, has been appointed Chair of the BSI technical committee on surfaces for sports areas (BSI PRI/57). The committee is the UK’s national standards committee for synthetic sports surfacing and focuses on standardising the specifications for various outdoor and indoor sports surfaces. Colin has been part of the committee and has acted as Secretariat since joining SAPCA in 2019, having also previously represented the LTA on the committee.As a national mirror committee to CEN TC 217, the PRI/57 committee is responsible for several key British and European standards. Its primary goal is to ensure that synthetic turfs, polymeric tracks, hardwood floors and related materials are safe, durable and perform to a standard expected by athletes and sports governing bodies.
Partner Member News
Edwards Sports has produced ‘The Ultimate Guide on Indoor Tennis Nets’, detailing all you need to know about specifications, headbands and facility choice
CopriSystems
CopriSystems is delivering a panoramic padel court with canopy at The Hive in South Essex, helping create a new destination for sport, wellbeing and community engagement at DP World London Gateway. Installation is now underway for the new court which forms part of a wider 29,000 sq. ft. development designed to support collaboration, personal development and a healthier work-life balance.
ETC Sports Surfaces
Padel courts require specific configuration. As a result, you’ll need to adapt your facilities to accommodate padel tennis. ETC Sports Surfaces have announced an exclusive partnership with Pista Padel World, to bring you Power Padel. The company says that it’s the only padel court in the UK that can be lifted and stored easily to fit around your main court schedule. Plus, installation requires minimal groundworks, so a Power Padel court can cost significantly less than traditional alternatives.
Pista Padel World is the number one company for padel courts across Europe, South America and Australia and have installed hundreds of International Padel Federation compliant courts globally.
Chiltern Sports Contractors Design Services
Chiltern Sports offer a ‘full package’ one stop shop from design through to final handover for sports facilities. The design phase is paramount in ensuring the finished facility meets all the criteria required from the client, the end users and often a specific sport governing body involved in the project. Chiltern Sports are covered by £1 million Professional Indemnity Insurance for our client’s additional peace of mind.
More information and contact details
Padel and Pickleball News
West London
The West London Vue cinema is to be replaced by 11 padel courts. The 12-screen cinema in the West 12 Shopping Centre has been empty since June with Vue having ended its lease six months early. The operator had managed the premises since 2001 though has struggled with trade in recent years.The space is to be taken on by Rocket Padel, an operator with existing UK sites in Battersea, Ilford, Bristol and Beckton.
Telford
Work has started on new padel courts at Telford Tennis Centre, with the facility expected to open by the end of October. The courts are being built as part of a partnership between Telford & Wrekin Council and community interest company We Do Tennis, which has run the centre’s tennis coaching programme for several years. Nigel Hunter, co-director of We Do Tennis, said: “Padel is flying at the moment with new venues opening at a fast rate. We are incredibly proud to be bringing padel to Telford in partnership with Telford and Wrekin Council.
Telford
Work has started on new padel courts at Telford Tennis Centre, with the facility expected to open by the end of October. The courts are being built as part of a partnership between Telford & Wrekin Council and community interest company We Do Tennis, which has run the centre’s tennis coaching programme for several years. Nigel Hunter, co-director of We Do Tennis, said: “Padel is flying at the moment with new venues opening at a fast rate. We are incredibly proud to be bringing padel to Telford in partnership with Telford and Wrekin Council.