Last weekend the Mayor of Dudley, Cllr Dave Tyler, welcomed two of Britain’s former Davis Cup players to Wall Heath Tennis Club for a coaching clinic open to both members and non-members.

Over 100 juniors and adults received expert tuition from Danny Sapsford and Luke Milligan representing the charity Bright Ideas. Dave Tyler expressed his delight at seeing the tennis club, at the heart of the Wall Heath community, being enjoyed by so many. He thanked Danny and Luke for helping the club in its efforts to raise money for the resurfacing of their courts.

Sapsford and Milligan, both with Wimbledon experience, provided their services for free and the club expect to have raised £2000 from the day’s activities and sponsors. The club’s chairman, Paul Parry, also thanked Hickorys Smokehouse for providing refreshments and helpers for the day and Midcounties Co-operative and Helping Hands both for their kind donation of £250.  

The club have also received much needed generosity from Dudley Community Trust, Cory Environmental and Ibstock Cory who provided funds for a brand new clubhouse and a wheel chair access pathway. 

In an exciting finale to the day’s events, Sapsford teamed up with Ed Bull and Milligan with Adrian Hyde (Head Coach) to give an exhibition match. The large crowd were treated to some high quality tennis and a good deal of fun from the Davis Cup stars. Milligan and Hyde prevailed in a tense encounter which finished with a sudden death point at 6-6 in the tie break.

Head Coach Adrian Hyde says that the club are keen to encourage even greater participation and membership of the facility by holding an open day on Saturday 12th May as part of the Lawn Tennis Association’s Great British Tennis Weekend. Everyone is welcome to the courts in Enville Rd, Wall Heath between 10am and 1.15pm.

To sign up for a session go to lta.org.uk/gbtw or you can book on the day. Rackets and refreshments will be provided free of charge and membership will be heavily discounted. 

For further information about the club go to wallheathtennisclub.co.uk.