TENNIS players in Strensall who have battled on against setbacks will be covering new ground later this year.

A big grant of money takes them to the brink of reaching their target for funds to lay fresh courts.

Strensall & Towthorpe Lawn Tennis Club have been awarded a £5,000 grant by The Foundation for Sport and the Arts.

This leaves the club just £4,000 short of the £29,000 they need to pay for new courts.

Three fresh courts will be made this year in time for use towards the end of the season.

"The new grant is great news," said club chairman Matthew Ward.

"Work on new courts will definitely begin later this year. The three courts we have will be resurfaced."

The club have raised £16,000 of the money themselves through numerous money-raising events. The parish council have contributed £3,000 and talks are taking place with the Lawn Tennis Association for a grant.

The tennis club are part of Strensall Sports Association, a £300,000 venture which opened two years ago but was severely affected last year by vandalism to the pavilion.

The sports field was also being ruined by mess left by dogs whose owners were ignoring signs banning exercising of pets.

"It is a great sense of achievement to have almost reached out target, keeping things going against adverse circumstances at the sports centre," said Ward, who is also a member of the sports association committee.

Football and netball are the others sports played at the sports centre.

Last year Strensall men's first team finished third in their first season in division one of Tyke Petroleum York Men's League. They also have a second team in the league.

Strensall also have a team in the IT Sports York Mixed League and in Fulford Ladies Invitation League and there is a junior team. Ward plays in the men's first team and mixed team.

The tennis club has eighty members at present and would welcome new members. There will be a free open day for the public on Saturday, April 2, from 2pm.

Those wanting information about joining the tennis club can contact Ward on 01904 491898.

Updated: 09:49 Wednesday, March 09, 2005