The bid to find future British Wimbledon champions was given a great boost when Deanes Indoor Tennis Centre was officially opened on Friday.
TV soccer pundit Trevor Brooking, Tottenham Hotspur manager Glenn Hoddle and Lawn Tennis Association performance director David Felgate joined a host of guests to officially unveil the £750,000 facility on Friday.
Holding centre court - (l-r) Trevor Brooking, head teacher Paul Beashel and David Felgate get ready to open the new indoor tennis centre
The project is a joint venture by The Deanes School and Sports College, Essex County LTA, the LTA and Essex Learning Services.
The initiative is one of the first of its kind in the country and will serve south-east Essex schools as well as county LTA teams.
"It's great to come in and see the centre is right in the middle of a school," said David Felgate, who used to coach British number one Tim Henman.
"It will encourage youngsters to play and we hope in years to come to see good players coming out of here at county and British level."
"It's good to have facilities like this in schools because it's important to get youngsters fit and doing sport," added Trevor Brooking.
"Tennis has always lacked a lot of indoor facilities and a number of facilities like this across the country would be good, especially in Essex where we have a strong tennis tradition.
"I'm sure it's going to be hugely beneficial and I hope we see a few youngsters from here at Wimbledon in a few years time."
The Thundersley school's headteacher Paul Beashel stressed the importance of the centre for south-east Essex.
"It's not just having the facility, it's the question of having the network and systems in place to enable all the children in the area to participate in it," he said.
Guests at the official opening saw youngsters put through their paces in a variety of coaching drills. After a plaque was unveiled by David Felgate and Trevor Brooking marking the opening, Glenn Hoddle took to the courts in a celebrity match.
He partnered Gidea Park LTC player and international veteran Phil O'Leary in a four-game encounter with Felgate and Essex County LTA performance officer Howard McGuinness.
Published Monday, June 23, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article