Although opportunities to play tennis in Barrow are almost zero (but not quite), there are splendid facilities available in Rothley. And – even better - the Rothley Ivanhoe Tennis Club would like to encourage Barrow residents to make use of them.
Rothley’s tennis facilities are some of the best in Leicestershire. The club was voted Club of the Year in 2021 by Tennis Leicestershire. There are six beautifully maintained all-weather tarmac courts, a club house, a small viewing pavilion, car park and plans to improve facilities even further. There are 200 playing adults and 160 juniors in the club. Junior members participate in a range of age group programmes provided by GSM Coaching. This high number of juniors is certainly a sign that Rothley Ivanhoe Tennis Club is doing well. And committee member Lloyd Bailey, a resident of Barrow, was proud to tell me that the club won Competition of the Year in 2020 – the big lockdown year – with their ‘Bubble Doubles’, a name that pictures how it worked when we could exercise out of doors in small groups but not indoors.
You must be wondering why the club wants to advertise in Barrow Voice? Well, in the Leicestershire County Tennis Leagues Rothley Ivanhoe Tennis Club is represented by seven men’s squads, four ladies and four mixed. They are always looking to grow their membership especially with women, of any age or ability, to expand their playing teams and strengthen their position in the Leicestershire Tennis rankings.
The club will, of course, welcome all new players, young or old, whatever their gender. You don’t have to be a skilled match player; you may be picking up a racquet for the first time or only interested in the social aspects or newly retired and up for a bit of exercise. The club can offer you all these in a friendly and welcoming setting. The courts can also be booked by the public who are not members.
You can explore details from https://www.rothleytennis.info/ and from https://www.facebook.com/RothleyIvanhoeTennisClub/
I must also mention that it is possible to book the one and only court on Barrow’s King George V playing fields during summer months. Phone the Parish Council on 01509 416016.
Now Barrow Voice will stand back and watch a great revival of tennis in and out of Barrow. Thank you, Ivanhoe Tennis Club.
Judith Rodgers