Paul Sheldrake

Paul Sheldrake has always had a love of tennis and is a member of Ipswich tennis club. He has always believed that there are many people who might enjoy the game, or even excel at it, who simply do not have the resources to join a tennis club or to pay for lessons and coaching. 2 years ago he launched his new initiative - Park Tennis, in Christchurch Park, Ipswich. He submitted his business plan to the LTA and received £150,000 (100% grant) for 5 new courts - an extraordinary feat, without parallel. He then raised a further £30k to provide free coaching and equipment for the 400 people who signed up in the first year. His target is to get 1,000 people participating in two years. He has turned the council owned courts which were dilapidated and unused into a thriving tennis venue, free to anyone who would like to play, with free coaching and free equipment. Paul has show great initiative and resolve in this laudable and altruistic venture.The facility was opened, and is regularly supported, by Elena Baltacha, Britain's No.1 female player, and other highly ranked local professionals. Paul has been motivated by his dream of bringing tennis to those who might never have thought they could afford to play. In his own words 'Tennis is a game for life, for everyone to enjoy, especially families. Facilities such as these, will in my opinion be the true stepping stones and future of British Tennis.' The LTA would seem to agree! www.ipswichparktennis.co.uk is the website