Tarka Tennis Centre
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court indoor centre with outdoor as well. For the size of the local
population, 22,000 in Barnstaple and approximately 100,000 in
North Devon this was probably quite a risk and often referred to
as a white elelphant so the most challenging aspects of this have
been getting people to know that Tarka was here and getting
‘new’ players into the game.”
“We spent a lot of time developing a very good schools
programme where we had 2500 children play tennis every year
from mainly primary schools and therefore developed schools
squads at Tarka from this. Schools tournaments are a huge
feature of our programme now with around nine each year with
800 players taking part.
“There are many keys to our success. The work we’ve done
with Schools obviously but we have also ran an International
standard tournament every year with players from around the
world. Laura Robson and Heather Watson have regularly played
here as well as many others who have gone on to be become top
10 players.
“We used this event to promote Tarka throughout the region via
Television, Newspapers and Radio. It really put us on the map
within not only the local community but also the nationwide
tennis scene. As these events grew we ran bigger and bigger
events bringing in better players and more spectators as well as
new sponsors.
“On the programme we have over 1000 children involved.
These range from National champions, American collegiate
players, and county players to local clubs players. We have space
for everyone and encourage all to find their level of play. Our
motto is ‘Everyone for Tennis’.
“The centre has developed into more than a tennis centre with
a badminton club, table tennis club, gymnastics club, running
club, Pilates studio, cycling club and mini football academy.
Each week we regularly have over 4000 people through the door
to take part in some form of sport and that number is growing
with our overall court usage at 92%.
“The future at Tarka will be impacted by the possible and
probable development of a new leisure centre being attached
onto the side of us as the old one down the road is knocked down
over the next few years.
“This will bring another 100,000 people through the doors every
four months so exposing new people to tennis. This in turn will
only increase our usage and numbers with the only concern
being needing more courts.”
happy days
*Just 10 miles from Tarka Tennis
*Action packed independent education from Nursery to Sixth Form
*7.30am breakfast club to 6pm late pick up
*50+ extra-curricular clubs
(including the popular surfing club)
*Home-from-home and weekly boarding provision
*A level results 63% A, A* & B*
*Free taster days
Outstanding achievements,
outstanding individuals.
Kingsley School, Northdown Road, Bideford,
Devon, EX39 3LY t: 01237 426200
www.kingsleyschoolbideford.co.uk
Member of the Methodist
Independent Schools Group
Nursery | Pre School | Junior School | Senior School | Sixth Form
40 Issue 11