A borough tennis club is set to celebrate its golden anniversary this month in honour of the club’s founding member, who recently passed away.

To mark Wall Heath Tennis Club’s 50th year a special event will be held at the club, based off Enville Road in Wall Heath, on Monday May 2. 

GB Davis Cup players Danny Sapsford and Luke Milligan will be on hand throughout the day to provide free coaching as part of the club’s anniversary celebrations.  There will be sessions for families, juniors and adult beginners as well as a cardio session and exhibition match at 2pm.

Wall Heath Tennis Club was re-established as a grassroots sporting venue in 1972 thanks to Doug Hyde and a small committee of members including Doug’s wife Val. Sadly, Doug passed away in March at Edmore House having suffered with a combination of dementia and Alzheimers. His son Adrian who is Head Coach at the club, said: 

“Dad believed in tennis for everyone in the community and he was very proud in his latter years that the club was delivering just that. He would be delighted that the club was not only hosting GB Davis Cup players but providing tennis sessions for free.”

Perhaps not surprisingly, Maria and Adrian, Doug’s children, are the only two of the original members still playing at the club. Val who lives just 50 yards from the club still enjoys hearing the squeals of delight from children on a Saturday morning as well as the echoes of ball on racket whilst sitting in her garden during the Summer.

Doug’s dream continues to deliver tennis for all in the community and his family hopes he’ll be looking from above on May Day with a big smile on his face. 

Refreshments will be available throughout the day and the club will hold a raffle with some great prizes during the day of celebrations. Money raised will be going to charities and Edmore House where Doug was cared for.  

For more information about playing at the club, you can visit the club's website. Anyone wanting to try sessions between 10am and 2pm should contact Adrian Hyde via email.