In the UK over 1.7
million people play tennis every month with 20% of those playing in clubs and
28% playing in leisure centres, with a staggering 5.4 million playing at least
once a year.
Thanks to companies
like Tennis World accessibility to grass roots tennis has now been
well-established making it enjoyable, open, welcoming and relevant to everyone.
Tennis World have
recently upgraded their playing surfaces at their state-of-the art facility in
Middlesbrough. In the past Tennis World has served up several Wimbledon aces,
now Middlesbrough’s largest independent tennis club has had its first makeover in
30 years.
In 2018 Tennis World
was given a six-figure “New lease of life” with world-standard indoor and
outdoor courts. Tennis World is unique in having 4 indoor and 6 outdoor courts.
Tennis World would
ultimately choose Yorkshire-based Playrite to supply their Matchplay 2 product
to meet and surpass their stringent requirements.
Playrite is a
division of National Floorcoverings, a UK family owned group of companies
dating back to 1873. The business has a combined experience in a vast array of
flooring types. Playrite is the only UK company to develop, design and
manufacture all three types of artificial surface for sports and leisure,
Tufted, Needlepunch and Woven.
Nigel Garton, Centre
Manager, Tennis World commented: “We opted for the Playrite Matchplay 2 product
for a few reasons. Outdoors we wanted an all-weather medium paced artificial
grass surface.”
He added; “We had
visited various venues and tried various surfaces in the winter as we needed a
surface which was playable during or immediately after rain. This was important
to us as in the North East of England as we have so much bad weather.
“We decided we
wanted a needlepunch surface as our research revealed this would be the hardest
wearing medium-paced product and would be a great surface for all ages and
standards. Also, Playrite are the only company using green and purple which we
wanted as my research told me purple is the polar-opposite colour to the yellow
ball but also the colours look very good.
"The Playrite
surfaces are excellent both in and outdoors. As soon as it stops raining
outside you can play on them. Also, the bounce and comfort indoors are second
to none.”
Ken Smith, Area
Sales Manager, Playrite Ltd, commented: “Our Matchplay 2 surface was initially
recommended by a technical consultant known to Nigel Garton at Tennis World. We
visited Tennis World with sample products and supporting information plus further
research. A visit by Tennis World staff to an existing tennis club using
Matchplay 2 influenced their final decision.”
On challenges about
the installation Ken Smith went on to further comment: “We had to ensure that
the purple court colour fibre which was not a standard colour at that time
could be sourced, manufactured and approved by Tennis World, all within budget
and on time.
“A great tennis
surface needs to be tested to industry standards with a performance level to
suit specific club and player requirements. It’s also crucial to have a
no-nonsense installation, aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance and be made
in the UK.
“We developed an
excellent working relationship with Tennis World by supplying a good line of
communication and support throughout the specification and installation
process.”
