Tennis club 'honoured' to be named best in the UK

Members of Giffnock Tennis Club say it is a “massive honour” to be named UK club of the year.

It has been recognised in the Lawn Tennis Association Awards, beating off almost 2000 entrants from across Britain.

“It’s just an absolutely wonderful achievement and we’re very, very honoured to receive it, we really are chuffed to bits” Vivienne MacLaren, Giffnock Tennis Squash & Hockey Club president said.

“The hard work that’s been going on for many, many years in the club and specifically you know during the pandemic in particular.”

David Rawlinson, the president of the Lawn Tennis Association, presented Vivienne with the award at a ceremony today.

He said it was the way members coped during the pandemic which helped them come out on top.

He said: “They launched their own programme of care gifts for local people, they organised social media contact with their members they just engrossed everything to keep the club inclusive and then when it was the opportunity arose to reopen they were the first Covid compliant sports club in Scotland and they have seen a 33% growth in participation and the club is buzzing with 12,000 members.”

Cameron Nugent, 11, has been a member for six years. He said: “The coaches are very good, they definitely help you like they don’t just mess around and all that they actually do try and get you better.”

Pat Connell, 89, who joined 48 years ago, added: “I like the exercise but it’s the friendship, we’re all supportive of each other.

“Shall we say nobody is kind to me because of my age, they still try to beat me!” she said.