Tennis club making preparations for junior festival

The club is preparing for its annual Junior Tennis festival, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.

“It’s hard to believe we have reached the milestone of playing in the People’s Park for 20 years,” explains club chairman Fergus Barklie.

“It is always a great week for the young people taking part.

“As well as that, the parents enjoy watching seeing the fun plus recognising how well organised our young qualified coaches are each year.

“In 2014 we had 61 children entered which like most years was a new record.

“Leading on from that, a number then joined the club after realising they loved playing tennis.

“What surprises most people is that we play the whole year round and we’re only stopped by snow or ice and sometimes pouring rain!

“People might have the idea of tennis being a summer sport but we play 50 weeks of the year!” adds Fergus.

This year’s event takes place between Monday, August 3 and Friday, August 7, from 10am until 12 noon each day.

Age groups range from five up to 16 with qualified coaches in charge of the various groups.

As well as coaching, there are also fun games, with prizes for everyone. Refreshments are served each morning at 11am and are sponsored by Spar, for which the club is very grateful.

Cost for the week is £30 for non-members and £25 for club members. Non-members will also be offered superb discount to join the club.

Entry fees should be send to: Fergus Barklie, 8 Cameron Park, Ballymena, BT42 1QJ. Tel: 07989 034284 or 2564 5447.

Entry forms are availavle from People’s Park pavilion and STyle N Sport, Ballymena.