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Volley good show … Western tennis club wins national honour

The competition lifted spirits during lockdown and raised £11,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust.

A local tennis club has scooped a prestigious national honour.

Western Health and Racquets Club in Hyndland has been recognised by none other than the sport’s ruling body, the Lawn Tennis Association.

The award came for the club’s work in staging its Club Championship 2020 in lockdown last year.

The competition united club members after a tough time off court while raising £11,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust.

For its efforts, the club was presented at the weekend with the coveted UK Competition of the Year Award following the conclusion of this year’s competition.

In attendance were LTA president David Rawlinson, Tennis Scotland chief executive Blane Dodds, and Kaukab Stewart, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin. 

The tennis club beat off competition from across the UK to take the trophy.

'Positive impact'

David Rawlinson said: “The LTA Awards 2021 truly are a celebration of people that stepped up to use tennis as a means to enhance the lives of others within their communities. 

“The Western Health and Racquets Club: Club Championships 2020 symbolises how our sport continued to have a positive impact, both on and off the court, despite the challenges posed throughout 2020.

“Attending this year’s competition has provided fascinating insight into the hard-work and dedication of everyone at Western Health and Racquets Club that has played a role in running such a highly-respected tournament.”

The LTA - Competition Of The Year Award 2021 presented to Western Health & Racquet Club. Photo: Colin Poultney.
The LTA - Competition Of The Year Award 2021 presented to Western Health & Racquet Club. Photo: Colin Poultney.

The club ran a safe and inclusive competition during lockdown, with 238 players taking to the court to compete and raise the five-figure sum for charity.

The money, raised through entry fees and donations, was presented to Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of Murray Stewart, a talented young tennis player and club member who tragically lost his battle with cancer. 

Murray’s family donated a new trophy for the Open Men’s Doubles event which was aptly won by his brothers Hamish and Ewan.

Blane Dodds said: “The fact that we were able to safely reintroduce competitive match play during lockdown is a credit to our competition team and each of the tireless event organisers throughout the country. 

The LTA Awards 2021 truly are a celebration of people that stepped up to use tennis as a means to enhance the lives of others within their communities' 

David Rawlinson

“To provide such a high-level and meaningful experience for players during a very challenging year displays the passion within our community and I’m delighted that the efforts of everyone involved with Western Health and Racquets Club has been recognised across the whole of the UK.

“To have the opportunity to attend this year’s finals has been a pleasure and I trust this UK award will continue to assist Western communicate and position its place in the community and also nationally.”

Kaukab Stewart said: “The collective effort of all involved with Western Health and Racquets Club to deliver a safe competition during the pandemic was truly impressive.

“The club raised an incredible amount of money for the Teenage Cancer Trust and should be applauded for their efforts.

The LTA-Competition of the Year was awarded to Western Health & Racquet Club and the Murray Stewart Cup was won by the Mens Doubles pairing of Matt Monaghan & Jamie Hunter. Photo: Colin Poultney.
The LTA-Competition of the Year was awarded to Western Health & Racquet Club and the Murray Stewart Cup was won by the Mens Doubles pairing of Matt Monaghan & Jamie Hunter. Photo: Colin Poultney.

“I would like to congratulate everyone associated with Western Health and Racquets Club on achieving this award, it was a pleasure to be there on Saturday to present the trophy to the club.”

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