It’s Day 24/25 of Community Spotlight as part of Interlink RCT’s 25th Year Anniversary celebrations!

Today, the spotlight is on Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club!

Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club was first established as Pentwyn Tennis Club at Pentwyn Park, Pentre in 1981. In 1985 the club relocated to Treherbert Park, Treherbert and was renamed Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club. In 1988 the club again relocated, to Ystradfechan Park, Treorchy and later constructed 3 new tennis courts alongside the existing Council courts. 

In 1997 the club purchased the clubhouse from the local Air Force Cadets and has been present at Ystradfechan Park until the present day, renewing its second 21 year lease for 4 tennis courts in 2019.  

The Club became a Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in September 2019. CIO status was achieved with the support of Interlink RCT. 

Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club primarily facilitates and promotes the game of tennis for all ages and abilities, including the disabled and those who are socially disadvantaged. Their aim is to promote community participation in other healthy recreational sports, including tennis, pickleball, basketball and netball.

They run coaching courses and open days for both children and adults.  

In 2019, Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club held a Community Consultation and concluded they needed to: 

• Improve several of the Tennis Courts surfaces and upgrade the flood lights  
• Confirm the Lease Agreement with RCTCBC for the Tennis Courts 
• Provide year round tennis and multi-sport facilities 
• Employ a Coach to visit local schools to encourage the children to play tennis and purchase a Practice Wall for the children to use and to facilitate the coaches
• Become Incorporated: Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club own a Club House but were Unincorporated (Leaving Committee Members vulnerable) 
• Update and modernise the Club House
• Increase the availability of sports facilities at the venue
• Install a defibrillator at the venue

Significant Grant Funding received between 2020- 2021 includes support from: 

• Pen y Cymoedd has provided Micro Fund grant as match funding for Welsh Church Act Fund grant for tennis courts 1-4 refurbishment.  
• Welsh Church Act Fund Grant for tennis courts 1-4 refurbishment 
• LTA Trust Grant for installation for LTA Smart Access Gate 
• Coronavirus Grants from Welsh Government via RCTCBC 
• Sport Wales Be Active Progress Fund Grant for LED Floodlights
• Community Activity Fund and Calon Hearts Donations to put towards Defibrillator and heated case
• Welsh Church Act Fund Grant for Fence Repairs and Gate additions
• Pen y Cymoedd has provided a Vision Fund grant as Match funding for LED Floodlights & Power connections, Smart Access Gate, Basketball Posts and nets and refurbishment of our clubhouse
• Magic Little Grant Localgiving Community Trust Grant for equipment for our courts

 RCTCBC Funding has provided monies to: 

• Contribute towards an increase of the height of fencing, additional double gates for floodlight access and repairs to Courts 5-6. 
• The lease to Courts 5-6 and funds to clean, bind and repaint the courts’ surfaces, including the addition of basketball and mini tennis court lines. 
• Advertising media and Coronavirus supplies for use by Rhondda LTC 
• Community Asset Transfer Grant 2 ( CAT2) for Courts 5-6 

 Additional Grant Funding support sought in 2021: 

• Sport Wales Be Active Progress Fund grant for Coaching Fees and equipment. 
• Welsh Church Act Fund for Clubhouse refurbishment. 
• Coalfields Trust for Clubhouse refurbishment. 
• Asset Transition Grant for taking over management of Court 5-6 as a Multi-Sport venue. This will be used to upgrade the remaining floodlights to LEDs. 

The developments of the Tennis Courts and the Clubhouse will benefit our 4 new LTA Level 2 Tennis Coaches, facilitating the delivery of tennis activities and paid coaching through our coaching provider ‘We Do Tennis’. It will also benefit the development of the local Basketball, Netball and Pickleball teams. Providing facilities for paid coaching in these sports.

Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club told us:

“We are extremely grateful for the grant funding that has made a significant difference to Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club. PyC Wind Fund, WCA Fund and RCTCBC have been instrumental in developing the venue into an excellent multi-sport facility. Tennis membership has increased from 22 to 150 members, with Basketball and Pickleball showing significant increases in participation. Treorchy Comprehensive school now uses the courts for sports lessons, the Smart Access Gate provides affordable Pay & Play sports for the local community and the clubhouse refurbishment will enhance the venue and encourage more visitors to the area.”

Find Rhondda Lawn Tennis Club online:

• Website
• Facebook