Historically, most villages on the Isle of Arran had at least one tennis court, reflecting a vibrant local interest in the sport. However, over the years, many of these courts have fallen into disrepair or been lost altogether, leading to a significant decline in accessible playing spaces. At present, there are no organised coaching sessions available on the island. This, combined with limited facilities, presents a substantial barrier for those wishing to take up the sport—particularly beginners, individuals with additional needs, and anyone requiring adapted coaching methods or specialist equipment.  Brodick Tennis Club are committed to reversing this trend and are working alongside Tennis Scotland and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to achieve this. Our vision is to create a welcoming, inclusive tennis environment that is accessible to all, regardless of age, gender, ability, or background. We aim to:

Offer regular, structured sessions for all skill levels

• Provide disability-inclusive coaching, led by appropriately trained instructors
• Promote participation among under represented groups
• Ensure that both our club culture and physical facilities meet high standards of accessibility

By actively championing inclusion, we hope not only to revitalise interest in tennis on Arran but also to foster a sense of community, wellbeing, and shared enjoyment of sport.

Having successfully secured funding to resurface three public courts in Brodick village, we have also begun a programme of training LTA qualified coaches on the island. The courts will shortly be ready to welcome players back and, upon accreditation, our newly trained LTA Level 1 Assistant Coaches will be able to begin providing inclusive tennis sessions for our community. We are applying for funding to cover the costs of acquiring equipment. This will enable us to offer tailored sessions and ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate meaningfully.

Bucket of Orange stage balls (n=96) £102, bucket of Green stage balls (n=96) £102, 27” adult size rackets x 12 £252, grips x 12 £15, throw down lines (48 yellow) £78, blue marker spots (30cm) x 12 £39, red marker spots (30cm) x 12 £39, set of six blue hoops (30cm diameter) x 2 £30, set of six red hoops (30cm diameter) x 2 £30, large court number signs x 3 £42, portable metal baskets to hold tennis balls x 3 £144, large secure metal storage container for equipment £800, delivery and assembly of container £150.

We also recognise the value of learning from others. As part of our commitment to best practice, we are also applying for funding to carry out knowledge-sharing visits to established, inclusive tennis clubs across Scotland, including:

• Prestwick Tennis Club – LTA Disability Club of the Year (2020), offering wheelchair tennis and sessions for adults and juniors with learning difficulties
• Strathgryffe Tennis Club – runs weekly disability classes for players with both learning and physical support needs
• Irvine Tennis Club – provides a broad programme with dedicated sessions for women, men, and players aged 50+, in addition to social tennis and general coaching

These exchanges will inform the development of our own inclusive practice and help us build a strong, sustainable, and welcoming tennis culture on Arran.

Return trip to Prestwick £66.05*, return trip to Irvine £65.90*, return trip to Strathgryffe £74.30*     

*(cost of two passengers and car on the ferry plus mileage)

Total requested = £1999.25