New indoor tennis centre for Haileybury

Legends Tennis UK is investing £1.2m in a new indoor tennis centre, to be built on Haileybury’s school campus in Hertfordshire. The new facility will boast a unique Grand Slam-quality court surface, thus becoming only the second facility in the UK to offer the Plexipave Prestige court surface on the indoor courts, similar to that being used at the Australian Open next week.

The project, which is being backed by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), will provide four indoor and four outdoor courts, as well as a clubhouse with changing facilities, a coffee shop, a tennis merchandise shop and physiotherapy and fitness rooms.

Building began in December 2007 and is expected to be completed by the end of April 2008.

"Our ultimate goal is to produce future world class players capable of succeeding in the professional game," says Legends Tennis Director, Teresa Lilley, "alongside a thriving and active club full of members who love to play the game of tennis."

"The new facility will allow people to play tennis all year round and to enjoy some of the highest calibre coaching in the county," adds Legends Tennis Director, Sheila Langley. "We want to attract newcomers to the sport and to nurture players’ talents and ambitions."

The Bursar at Haileybury, Martin Halsall, says the development will boost tennis as a sport at the school and will add to the already impressive sports facilities.

"We believe that being able to offer top-class coaching to our pupils, both during games lessons and privately, will be an enormous draw card for prospective and current parents," he adds. "The parents themselves will also be able to join the tennis club."

Carl Maes, Head of Women’s Tennis at the LTA, says: "It is great that facilities of this standard are being developed and the LTA is delighted to be supporting this project. It will provide an excellent training base and competition venue and will provide more opportunities for young players to develop and progress."

Legends Tennis UK used to run a highly successful tennis programme at the Hertfordshire Golf & Country Club but the facility was damaged irreparably by a storm in January 2007 and Legends were forced to relocate. Haileybury, with its excellent reputation and outstanding existing facilities, was the natural choice for their new site.

Legends Tennis UK is respected as a club which nurtures young talent and motivates adults and children alike to stay fit and healthy through tennis.

Louis Cayer, coach of Wimbledon doubles champion Jamie Murray, worked with the Legends Tennis coaches in 2007 and said that he was very excited about the project.

The new facility will be open to members all year round and is situated next to Haileybury’s indoor swimming pool and sports centre. Applications for memberships have already begun. For information about membership or tennis coaching, call 07798 852362.