IT HAS been a year to remember for Burnley Tennis Club both on and off the court.

The club has been recognised for its efforts within the community, has gained a prestigious national award while its teams have enjoyed plenty of success at local and county level.

All that success has been down to the efforts from everyone involved at the club, from players to committee members.

“To run a large successful club requires a lot of hard work both on and off the courts as well as support from members and the community of Burnley,” said secretary Steve Palmer.

At the Burnley Community Sports Awards, the club was named community club of the year where chairman Elaine Varcoe and treasurer Alison Padgett received their prize off Olympic javelin champion, Tessa Sanderson, at Burnley Mechanics Theatre.

In July, the club was awarded Tennismark by the Lawn Tennis Association - an award that recognises good standards and best practice at tennis venues across Britain.

It is already working towards Tennismark+, the high-tier accreditation having already gained Clubmark and Beacon status.

On court, the club has been equally as successful - most recently, Burnley Ladies won the Ralph Bint County Plate, beating Moreland TC from Poulton.

The team were also runners-up in the AEGON National Club League Division One while the men’s first team reached the semi finals of the Roscoe County Cup, losing out to the eventual winners.

The club had 18 teams competing on a weekly basis in the East Lancashire Tennis League and enjoyed its been ever season.

n League honours Open League: Division 1: Burnley A Runners up ; Division 2: Burnley C Winners; Division 3: Burnley D Winners - Burnley E Runners up; Ladies League: Division 1: Burnley A Winners ; Division 2: Burnley B Winners; Mixed League: Division 1: Burnley A Winners: Burnley B Runners up; Division 2: Burnley C Winners Junior Team: Division 2: Burnley A Winners Knockout Cup: Division 1: Burnley A Runners up; Division 2/3/4: Burnley D Runners up; Ladies – Burnley A Winners; Mixed Burnley B Winners.

But the club insists that it is not just about what has been achieved, but it is also about what can be achieved in the future.

There are plans to open a community garden behind the club’s Lower Ridge Close base while a new junior scholarship scheme will also be launched in 2016.

“Next year will see the club put to use a plot of land behind our clubhouse to create a community garden that local residents can use and maintain,” added Palmer “This is an exciting project and will no doubt continue to give the community cohesion and involvement.”

The club’s desire to highlight the game saw them host a number of community open days and taking part in the Great British Tennis Weekends in May, June and August.

Burnley Tennis Club was also chosen by the LTA to participate and pilot the Harvester Mini Tennis Month campaign getting more kids and family members involved and playing more family tennis.

“All of these events were a massive success with hundreds of people from all across the boroughs of Burnley and Pendle attending and taking part in a number of different tennis activities,” added Palmer.

“Getting more people involved in tennis is the club’s main drive so to make an impact we have visited schools, colleges and university sites with our brand new pop-up club, providing information, guidance and demos. Taking the club to people is helping the club with who we are and what we offer.”

For details, contact 07825 771762 or email info@burnleytennisclub.co.uk