Western Health and Racquets Club presented with LTA ‘Competition of the Year’ Award

In one of the most fiercely competitive LTA Award’s category, Western Health and Racquets Club: Club Championships 2020 outshone competitions across the breadth of the UK for its outstanding organisation and delivery, which enabled players to return to competitive match play within an inclusive and safe environment.

LTA President, David Rawlinson, said: “The LTA Awards 2021 truly are a celebration of people that stepped up to use tennis as a means to enhance the lives of others within their communities. The Western Health and Racquets Club: Club Championships 2020 symbolises how our sport continued to have a positive impact, both on and off the court, despite the challenges posed throughout 2020.

“Attending this year’s competition has provided fascinating insight into the hard-work and dedication of everyone at Western Health and Racquets Club that has played a role in running such a highly-respected tournament.”

The efforts of club members and organisers ensured that Western’s Club Championships was one of the first events to return to the competition calendar, with 442 matches taking place in line with the current COVID-19 guidance at the time.  

Running from August to October, the Club Championships encompassed three events: a veteran’s competition, a junior grade and an open finals day. These raised more than £11,000 through entry fees and donations which were presented Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of Murray Stewart, a talented young tennis player and club member who tragically lost his battle with cancer. Murray’s family donated a new trophy for the Open Men’s Doubles event which was aptly won by his brothers Hamish and Ewan.

Kaukab Stewart, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, said: “The collective effort of all involved with Western Health and Racquets Club to deliver a safe competition during the pandemic was truly impressive.”

“The club raised an incredible amount of money for the Teenage Cancer Trust and should be applauded for their efforts.

“I would like to congratulate everyone associated with Western Health and Racquets Club on achieving this award, it was a pleasure to be there on Saturday to present the trophy to the club.”

Tennis Scotland Chief Executive, Blane Dodds, said: “The fact that we were able to safely reintroduce competitive match play during lockdown is a credit to our competition team and each of the tireless event organisers throughout the country. To provide such a high-level and meaningful experience for players during a very challenging year displays the passion within our community and I’m delighted that the efforts of everyone involved with Western Health and Racquets Club has been recognised across the whole of the UK.

“To have the opportunity to attend this year’s finals has been a pleasure and I trust this UK award will continue to assist Western communicate and position its place in the community and also nationally.”