COST and a lack of facilities are stopping youngsters playing tennis, according to coach Geoff Martel.
He said there should be cheaper and more-accessible opportunities for youngsters across the island to play the sport.
‘There are no facilities where they can just go and play at an affordable price. It is only reasonable if you join a club, but for youngsters that is expensive.
‘We have not got any [indoor] pay and play facilities in Guernsey that are open to the public. Tennis is as much a social game as it is a competitive game and some people don’t want that sort of commitment [of joining club],’ he said.
Mr Martel (pictured) highlighted France as an example of where people could simply go and use a tennis court.
‘We’ve got superb sports people, but because it’s easier to play other sports at a lower cost we lose players to those sports,’ he said.
He added that the standard of tennis courts across the island’s schools was also mixed.
‘The only way better players are going to develop is by being off-island – youngsters start in Guernsey but they have to leave because it hasn’t got a good enough set-up,’ he said.
Local star Heather Watson, currently playing at Junior Wimbledon, spends much of her time training in Florida.
Currently there are four tennis clubs in Guernsey with varying membership prices and islanders can also book courts at Beau Sejour for about £8 an hour.
However, Channel Islands tennis development manager Hugh Raymond said he did not agree that the sport was inaccessible or elitist.
‘I think there is a perception that it’s expensive, but I don’t think it is. The problem is not accessibility, it’s the competition between sports.
‘There are too many sports trying to catch too few people. All the children have good opportunities but the problem is retaining them,’ he said.
He added that the facilities in the islands were incredible compared with some counties in the UK.
‘Junior membership at the island’s clubs is quite reasonable, although it does get expensive as you get older and become good.’
The Guernsey Indoor Tennis Centre is one club that offers membership and use of indoor and outdoor courts for under 12s for about £60.
For 13- to 17-year-olds, membership is about £100.
Manager Andy Privett said the prices were not expensive because they worked out at between £1 and £2 a week.
Heather at Wimbledon Back Page
Article posted on 3rd July, 2009 - 2.29pm
8 Article Comments
As a tennis player who played at Island level I think its a disgrace that tennis is still a so called upper class sport, it was and still is a very clicky sport on the island. I know several male and female players, myself included, who had talent for the game but because they didn’t go to the right schools or their parents were unable to give them the financial backing required, missed out on the opportunities to progress as far as their talents should have taken them.money and class is no substitute for natural talent
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i totally agree, my son was exceedingly good and was told he had the “chance” to make it, but i couldnt afford the club fee`s and the equipment same with my younger son who has flair for a different sport, if you lived in the uk a lot of these things are free! swimming for instance is free in most county`s as is access to a lot of sport, with free transportation and equipment.
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I don’t understand why the States puts all its eggs in one basket by spending £650,000 p.a. on providing private music lessons via the Music Service. It is wholly unfair on youngsters who show promise in other areas such as sport,dance or drama. The service should be cut or the money paid to each child in the form of vouchers which can be redeemed against any regulated activity. It is morally wrong to single out music as deserving whilst other areas arguably more important to a childs development are totally ignored. Come on States Deputies all our children are important,
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Did anyone else feel like me when they opened their Refuse Rate bill for 2009? It is totally outrageous that the charges have gone up by well over 150% in my case due to the size of my property. Why am I recycling most of my rubbish when I have to pay anyway! What a farse! We are supposed to be encouraged to help the enviroment but it doesn’t seem to matter does it. Why was this allowed to go through all you deputies out there when you all must have known how grossly unfair it is. I feel like putting all my rubbish out now as there is no incentive AT ALL to recycle it. We all know that it is another tax again! Take our wages and be done with it!
Angry vale resident
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Teresa
Totally agree, my refuse rate is over £400 pa. As a family we are quite proud that over 50% of our waste is now recycled. We now generate on average 1.5 bags of rubbish per week thats £5 per bag!!!
I would like to know a) If our figures are indicative of the norm then the amount of waste collected must have gone down, so why has the rate gone up? b) what body checks that the constables have tendered for the contracts correctly and got the best price.? c)Why does my conservatory justify its own refuse charge of £33 p.a. and lucky me I know, but a swimming pool pays £40 p.a.!!
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Teresa / Paul
What has this got to do with tennis? Or are you complaining that your tennis courts are increasing your refuse bill!!!!
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Mike
Perhaps they are saying the article is a load of rubbish :)
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Tennis clubs (and other private sports / fitness clubs) have always been perceived as being for the upper/middle classes and rather cliquey to boot. Whether or not that is true is a matter of opinion however what is clear is that:
1. Clubs do little to change that perception;
2. Their rather exorbitant membership charges effectively exclude certain “classes” as few (if any) from low income families could afford to pay the membership fees!
Paul – your idea of vouchers sounds good in theory.
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