A CITY sports club has been praised for being at the top of its game.

Boughton Park Lawn Tennis Club is recognised as an outstanding tennis venue for young people by adopting and delivering the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Youth Programme to the highest standard.

It is the first club in Worcestershire and Herefordshire to receive this award and one of only six in the Midlands.

Just 20 have received national recognition.

A club spokesperson said: “The team at Boughton Park are delighted to receive this award and hope, with the support from local schools, that their new status will encourage more children to try tennis.

“To celebrate this achievement, the club and coaching team would like to invite all children aged four to 16 to come along to the club for a free taster session.”

Boughton Park is based in the grounds of Worcester Golf and Country Club off Bransford Road in St John’s.

LTA Youth Recognised Venues have demonstrated a commitment to delivering a junior programme with high-quality coaching and regular competitive opportunities for young players.

Boughton Park head coaches Tina Manning and Sarah McCormick, together with chair and safeguarding officer Jean Walters and Jo Ringshall, worked tirelessly with the LTA over the last six months to reach the highest standards on and off the court.

The junior coaching team was put through its paces to implement the necessary standards to meet the status.

They strive to continuously improve the experience for players and parents through the LTA Youth Programme which is designed to help more young people enjoy the benefits of playing and staying in tennis.

Scott Lloyd, LTA chief executive officer, told the club: “Your LTA Youth Programme is a credit to both the LTA and tennis in Britain and you should be proud of achieving this status.”

Van Willerton, LTA participation development partner said: “I’m thrilled to be able to present two of our highest-calibre head coaches and the club’s progressive management team with this award.

“This team is truly inspirational. They make tennis fun, social and engaging and really do inspire more people to get on court.”

For more about the club and the free taster sessions, contact Tina and Sarah at Boughtonparkcoaching@gmail.com.