COver 300 people from all parts of the community turned out on Sunday for Crosshaven Tennis Club’s Open Day. The attendance included the Tánaiste Simon Coveney TD and CEO of Tennis Ireland Richard Fahey.
The club, whose membership endorsed an ambitious three year Development Plan last year, recently received planning permission for phase one of the development plan. The plan will see the re-development of the existing Clubhouse with extended changing facilities, disabled toilets and a new club room to meet the growing number of members from Crosshaven and beyond. The second phase of the plan will see the club optimizing its current courts and phase three has the ambition of adding a 4th court for the expanding club.
Furthermore, the club aims to be more inclusive to all sectors of society by planning to incorporate facilities & tennis programs to accommodate members of society with disabilities. The club currently mourns a dear friend, lifelong member and physical tennis coach Valerie Twomey who was an outstanding advocate for junior tennis, strength and conditioning and inclusivity. This aspect of the project will be Valerie’s legacy within the club & the wider tennis community.
Richard Fahey, CEO of Tennis Ireland, congratulated Crosshaven Tennis Club for its proactive long term planning approach to meeting its development requirements and stated that its approach could be a model for other clubs in planning to meet the requirements of growing memberships.
In addition he continued, “It gives me great pleasure today to announce that Crosshaven & Carrigaline Tennis Clubs have been chosen to host an International Tennis Federation event in July this year”.
The ITF Under 18 event will see some of the top players from across Europe participate in a week long tournament, which will see the three tournament “PINTA Series” being held in Belfast, Dublin and Cork as part of the European tour for the very first time; “We will be expecting tennis fans from across Munster to come out in big numbers to support this exciting opportunity to see top class tennis in Ireland”.
He continued, “The selection of Crosshaven & Carrigaline as hosts for this Tournament is an acknowledgement of the progressive approach from coaches and volunteers in both clubs”.
The news of the event coming to Crosshaven and Carrigaline will be of particular interest to Crosshaven member Olwyn Ryan Bovey – who is expected to be a strong challenger in what will be her home event.
Speaking at the Open Day, An Tánaiste Simon Coveney TD praised the club on their ambitious plans and stated the continued development of sporting facilities is essential to meeting the needs of growing communities such as Crosshaven. He stated that volunteers in clubs up and down the country are playing a key part in building vibrant healthy communities for the future needs of our towns and villages.
In addition he continued; “I would also like to congratulate Crosshaven and Carrigaline Tennis Clubs on their selection to host this ITF event for what promises to be a unique opportunity to see the emerging tennis stars from across Ireland & Europe.”
Crosshaven Tennis Club president Ghyslaine Hegarty added; “We are delighted with the turnout today as we continue to try to build our membership in providing access for our schools, and members of all ages. We have received great support from Tennis Ireland, the Munster Branch and Crosshaven Community Association and look forward to delivering on our plans. We are really excited about the ITF event which we will be proud to host as we continue to build on our great partnership with Carrigaline Tennis Club.”
For additional information contact www.tennisireland.ie Or www.munstertennis.ie or www.crosshaventennisclub.ie
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