Doubles day at Bournville Park as Freya Christie, Alicia Barnett & Emily Appleton join local women and girls for Pair & Play session

Park tennis courts are vital for providing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to pick up a racket, get active, and enjoy playing tennis.

As the Rothesay Classic Birmingham took place 3.5 miles away in Edgbaston last week, Bournville Park’s shiny new surfaces welcomed local women and girls for an organised, free social tennis session last weekend to celebrate the new transformed courts.

GB doubles pair Freya Christie and Alicia Barnett took time away from the action at Edgbaston Priory Club to rally with local female players and get to know the community.

Christie said: "The facilities at Bournville Park are great and the renovations have really done well in making the courts more inviting, particularly for many more women and girls.

“Alicia and I are very big advocates for getting more women and girls playing tennis, picking up a racket and staying in the sport, so it’s great to see so many here today.” 

Describing the new facilities at Bournville Park, Barnett commented: "It’s great to see so many people out here today.

“The courts have just been resurfaced and its great energy and good vibes. It’s especially great to see so many women out here today, we’re huge advocates for women in sport generally – we love watching it, and obviously partaking in it as well.” 

Freya and Alicia were joined by another British star competing at Birmingham, as Emily Appleton enjoyed a rally at the fresh facilities.

Appleton said: “The courts here are really nice, they look fresh, new and inviting. It’s so lovely to see everyone at such a local venue with a great atmosphere.

“The great thing is that they’re all around the country which is so important as not everyone has access to bigger tennis clubs, so to have something local is amazing and encourages more people to get involved in the sport which is what we want.

I’ve also spoken with so many amazing women here today who all are having so much fun and it’s great to see so many girls and women of all ages getting some exercise and having a good time doing it.”

With the support of the LTA Tennis Foundation, the Park Tennis Project is bringing thousands of existing park tennis courts across Great Britain in poor or unplayable condition back to life for the benefit of communities across the country, as well as making it easier to find, book and get on court.

Park Investment Delivery Manager Stuart Maidment said: “Bournville Park looks fantastic. The courts are in a safe, playable and attractive condition, meaning that all these players can come and play and hopefully inspire the next generation to come.

“The Park Tennis Project in total will have an impact on around 3,000 park courts. These courts will offer schemes like Barclays Free Park Tennis, which is a volunteer lead activity on a weekend to offer free tennis sessions and equipment to players of all abilities.