PRIORY Tennis Club has reached a notable landmark as it this year celebrates its centenary.
Since its formation in 1921, it is amazing to see how the club has changed and grown.
The club is hoping, providing lockdown restrictions are lifted, to arrange centenary celebration later in the year and are working on a variety of projects to celebrate the clubs’ history.
And it has got off to a great start with Priory nominated the club-of-the-year award by LTA Cheshire.
Since the club received funding from Sport England a few years ago, they have worked hard to upgrade facilities and encourage more people to play tennis by expanding the sessions and lessons available to both members and non-members, something which has paid off with the club growing.
After the 2020 season did not take place, Priory are eager to get back to playing in the North East Cheshire League and Manchester League. Match practice sessions and preparations for the new season will begin as soon as lockdown restrictions are eased on March 29.
After five incredible successive promotions, the men’s first team now faces a tough battle ahead in division two, and the women’s second team will be challenging in division six following their promotion in 2019. All teams are excited to get back to competitive tennis.
Despite it being a very difficult last 12 months, the club is looking forward to an exciting year of tennis.
Over the last year, upgrades to the courts and surrounding areas have been completed. The newly resurfaced court three and Kidzone court now offer members some of the best tennis facilities in Greater Manchester.
They have also completed the extension of the decking outside the clubhouse to improve outdoor seating area for members to enjoy.
Priory is now affiliated with the Tameside Sports and Physical Activity Network, seen as a very beneficial connection, for both TSPAN and Priory members. Not only will it help the progress of the club but will also help getting more people to play tennis in the Tameside.
Starting on Monday, April 19, Priory will be running their Tennis Xpress course of the year.
It is a four-week course, taking place between 8pm-9 pm every Monday and a perfect introduction to tennis for beginners and is also great for anyone who has not played tennis for some time.
There are also three Junior LTA Youth Start courses
These six-week courses are the ideal starting point for children aged between five and nine years. On top of learning how to play tennis, each player will receive a tennis racquet, t-shirt, pack of tennis balls and a pair of sweatbands, all for £34.99. They have three courses starting in April, taking place on Mondays and Wednesday after school and on Saturday morning.
To find out more about courses and about the club, visit www.priorytennis.co.uk
If you are not sure whether tennis is for you and would simply like to give it a go, feel free to join one of the social tennis sessions.
You can come along to any of the following sessions up to three times free of charge: Thursday 7pm-9 pm, Saturday 2pm-5pm, juniors aged 12-17 Sunday 2pm-4pm, seniors Monday and Friday morning 9am-12.30pm.