TOWNELEY Community Tennis Club is looking to serve up some free coaching sessions after it was officially opened this month.

Club chairman Paul Wheatcroft cut the ceremonial ribbon in front of guests of honour from the Lancashire Lawn Tennis Association to allow the proceedings begin.

Dave,Hillier, the LTA’s North Disability Manager and Sarah Stephenson, LTA County Development Officer, made the trip to Burnley too see the new club finally get up and running.

The event was well attended, with both a mixture of adults and youngsters – and the weather just about ‘played ball’ during the afternoon.

But all those present at the event had an enjoyable time throughout the afternoon.

Towneley became the first ‘non city’ club in the country to become an official Tennis for Free site.

Officials from the national charity have already visited the site and confirmed its official status.

The club is the brainchild of head coach Iain Taylor who has long believed the tennis coaching should be affordable and, ideally free.

He has been well supported by fellow committee members Judith Denson and Paul Wheatcroft.

Towneley Community Tennis Club's volunteers, in partnership with Burnley Borough Councils Park Rangers, have been working on the courts at Towneley Park in order to refurbish it in preparation for the official club launch And club members worked tirelessly to make sure it was up and running in time fort he new season and the likes of Carl Denson, Michelle Tootle, Liam Taylor and Daniel Moorhouse have more than played their part.

For Taylor, a former head coach at Burnley Tennis Club and Ribchester Tennis Club, it will be the chance to fulfil one of his lifetime ambitions.

“I have done a lot of coaching at other clubs but setting up my own and being able to provide free coaching is something I have always wanted to do. Now we have become an official Tennis for Free site it is just perfect.”

And the club’s team got off to the perfect start when they won their first ever competitive match on away to Burnley ‘E’, running out 5 -0. Daniel Taylor and Matthew Hargreaves, Iain Taylor and Liam Taylor, won two rubbers each.

Membership is open to everyone from recreational players to the more serious competitive players as TCTC have entered teams in both the Aegon team tennis event and Slazenger East Lancashire Tennis League at various age groups.

For more information on membership, volunteering or the coaching programme, please contact Iain on 07530126456.