Renovated park courts inspire new generation amid Davis Cup action

With Great Britain competing in the Davis Cup Finals group stage this weekend, a new wave of inspiration is sweeping through the community, encouraging the next generation to pick up a racket and get on court.

David Lewis Recreation Ground is a 15-minute drive north of the AO Arena, where US Open semi-finalist and British number one Jack Draper has been representing Great Britain alongside Dan Evans, Billy Harris, and doubles stars Henry Patten and Neal Skupski.

David Lewis Rec has recently been transformed thanks to the Park Tennis Project, a £30 million initiative funded by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation and delivered by the LTA, which is bringing thousands of park tennis courts back to life for local communities. The courts have undergone a complete refurbishment, with new gates and an online booking platform making access to high-quality tennis facilities easier than ever.

Across Greater Manchester, 160 public park courts are benefitting from a £2.2 million UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation investment. In Manchester alone, the LTA has been working with Manchester City Council and Manchester Active to deliver a total investment of £508,985,transforming 42 courts across 15 parks, and creating new opportunities for people in communities that have traditionally lacked access to tennis.

On the freshly renovated courts at David Lewis Rec, non-profit organisation the Medicare Foundation has been running free weekly sessions for the community to enjoy tennis, many of whom picking up a racket for the first time.

The Medicare Foundation was founded by Naana Hagan-Cherry, who, along with her husband Alex, has been using the shiny new courts to raise awareness for an issue close to the hearts of many of those within the community.

“The Medicare Foundation was set up by Naana, who served for 13 years in the British Army as a military nurse.” Alex said.

“Since coming out of the army, Naana has been dedicated to raising awareness for the urgent need for blood donations for sickle cell disease patients.

“As a sports fanatic, the best way she thought to do this was by using the power of sport. We’ve built up a tennis community in Manchester and linked up with the LTA.”

Across Britain, around millions of people play tennis in local parks each year. Park tennis courts are essential in providing affordable, engaging, and accessible opportunities for people to enjoy the sport.

“The LTA has supported us to help run Serves sessions at David Lewis Rec in Manchester. Then through We Do Tennis, who operate the park, we now run Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions every Saturday, with around 30 people coming to play every week – some who had never held a racket before.” Alex continued.

“The community who come to the sessions are from all backgrounds, from the ages of 5, all the way up to around 50-years-old, so we have a real diverse community playing together.

“The renovations have shone a new light on the park courts. Many people pass by and wonder if the courts were even there before. They have always been there, but the renovation has meant that they are used like never before.

“As far as we’re aware, the courts previously were barely used and were even vandalised, however since we’ve been at David Lewis Rec, there has been no vandalism, and the renovation pulls the whole community to them.”

With the local Manchester community galvanised by the newly renovated public park courts, tennis star and former top-ranked British player Naomi Broady visited one of the Medicare Foundation’s sessions ahead of the Davis Cup action last week.

“It’s so important all children have the same opportunities, including being able to pick up a tennis racket. With the Davis cup being in Manchester I hope kids in the city can be inspired to get on court, have fun and stay active.”

To find and book your local park tennis court, click here.