British tennis star Dan Evans joins local families at Clifton Playing Fields to celebrate opportunities to play in parks across the city
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As the Rothesay Open Nottingham serves up excitement for the community, local families and kids enjoyed a fun day of tennis at the local Clifton Playing Fields on Sunday.
One of five parks across Nottingham, Clifton Playing Fields has seen its tennis courts transformed as part of our Park Tennis Project, which is bringing thousands of park tennis courts previously in unplayable or poor condition back to life for communities across Great Britain.
To officially cut the ribbon and reopen park courts, British men’s singles star Dan Evans joined local kids for a Barclays Free Park Tennis session, as well as games with giant inflatables and Tennisable characters, inspiring more young people to participate in tennis.
The two-time Rothesay Open Nottingham champion also offered tips to the kids before joining in with a rally. Speaking at the event he said, “These courts are newly resurfaced and it’s great for the kids to be able to come here and use them. At this age (of the kids at Clifton Playing Fields), it’s all about enjoying it and getting a racket in their hand.
“It’s an amazing initiative. To get access to free facilities on a Sunday morning is amazing – for people to come down and pick up a racket in their hand is great for tennis as well. There were lots of kids here who are playing for the first time, which is half the job done already.”
The kids were enjoying a Barclays Free Park Tennis session at Clifton Playing Fields, delivered by volunteer Activators, and is one of the free weekly tennis sessions taking place in parks as part of the project, where equipment is provided, overcoming one of the key barriers to participation.
Through the Parks Tennis Project, we are delivering the biggest-ever investment in parks tennis facilities across Britain, providing a significant boost to sporting facilities.
Other parks in Nottingham being transformed are Strelley Recreation Ground, Bulwell Forest Recreation Ground and Lenton Abbey Park.
These courts, aswell as those at Vernon Park and Valley Road Park, are all now open and available to book via our book a tennis court page.
The courts have undergone extensive work to ensure viability for years to come, including resurfacing, repainting, new nets and a new gate system. Thousands of existing park tennis courts are being transformed across the country, providing vital opportunities for children and adults to get active.
