South Devon Tennis Centre, Ivybridge, given a prestigious national award by Lawn Tennis Association

The national governing body for tennis, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has given the Tennis Centre in Ivybridge a prestigious national award for having a "truly innovative and lasting impact on grassroots tennis".

The “Lexus Game Changer Award” recognises individuals and groups who have made a significant contribution to the sport of tennis. In this, the first year of the award the recipient was the South Devon Tennis Centre, Ivybridge, for its efforts in making tennis more inclusive and accessible to the community.

Elise Spicer, Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator at the South Devon Tennis Centre, and Harry Hargreaves, Club, Competitions and Schools Coach, with the award 

The South Devon Tennis Centre was especially commended for it’s "warm and welcoming atmosphere" and encouraging "people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to get involved in tennis".

Judges highlighted how the centres’ inclusive programmes, such as wheelchair tennis, walking tennis, tennis for neurodiverse children, tennis for children who are home educated, tennis for mums and tots and activities for people struggling with their mental health, has had a huge impact both on the physical and mental wellbeing of its users.

Lesley Crocker, General Manager of South Devon Tennis Centre said: “It is such an honour to be recognised by the LTA for what we are doing here.  All the way down here in Devon we are just getting on with our jobs and trying to help everyone enjoy the game we love.

"But when your National Governing Body recognises what you are doing and the positive impact you are having on peoples lives, it really is very special.

"We have always been one big family here and now I am pleased to say our family is growing, with opportunities for everyone in the community to give tennis a go regardless of their physical ability, age or background.

“I would also like to say a massive thank you to the staff and the coaches at the centre. When you have such a lovely team of people who enthuse about the centre and what it offers, it is easy to encourage people to give tennis a try."

Wheelchair tennis at South Devon Tennis Centre 

The centre was originally nominated for a Devon Tennis award in the category of Tennis Opened Up by Kim Eschbaecher LTA Delivery Manager who supports the delivery of tennis in the region, she had said: “The centre now has a vibrant and welcoming feel through improved design and layout of social spaces. There is greater cohesion across the team where everyone provides a smile through a shared vision.”

And in her submission she referenced the centre’s collaboration with the Tennis Foundation, the charity arm of the LTA, how the centre Achieved LTA Youth Recognised Venue Status and all of the work it does to restructure and grow its membership.

After winning the Devon category, the centre was put forward for a national award. But the centre did not win in the national “Tennis Opened Up” category, instead they were highlighted and given the special “Lexus Gamer Changer Award”, and given £1,000 of grant money to help them continue their good work.

Walking Tennis at South Devon Tennis Centre 

Elise Spicer, Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator at the South Devon Tennis Centre, who has been instrumental in the centre’s transformation, said: “When you sit back and look at what we have achieved in the last couple of years, I guess it is rather a lot, we now have sports wheelchairs available for children to borrow, we have hosted events for disabled children and their families, taken part in activities for the children with visual impairments and hosted a Schools Roadshow, not to mention our growing beginner, improver and advanced adult programmes. 

"But I see this as the beginning of a new chapter for the Tennis Centre, as we continue to grow and offer more opportunities for more people to join us on court."

The LTA award ceremony was held On Thursday, April 24, at the National Tennis Centre in London, presented by Lexus highlighted the incredible achievements and contributions of people in tennis across Britain.

This year the awards were attended by several high-profile guests including the LTA’s Honorary President Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, LTA President Sandi Procter, GB Davis Cup Captain and Head of Men’s Tennis Leon Smith, Sir Trevor McDonald and Sue Barker.

The awards also highlight the talent across the tennis community in Britain, which includes 25,000 volunteers, 6,900 coaches and more than 1,000 officials. They also showcase the incredible achievements of some 12,610 schools, 2,354 clubs and over 9,500 LTA approved tournaments. The contribution of these individuals and venues helps to bring fans and players closer to the game we all love.