Membership figures at Gravesham Tennis Club have rocketed to the best in recent memory as more people in the local area look to get active.

The tennis club, located within the grounds of Gravesend Rugby Club, has bounced back after the temporary closure this year forced by the pandemic and now has in excess of 150 adult members.

Over 60 of those members are new to the club, which was one of the first sports facilities in the borough to reopen as restrictions started to lift following the Coronavirus national lockdown earlier in the year.

Membership secretary Lorna Pender commented: “It’s fantastic to see so many new members trying or returning to tennis. We are getting lots of interest from people who want to get or stay fit playing tennis – a sport where social distancing is easily achieved.”

With so many new members joining, the eight-court club is working hard to provide as many chances as possible for people to play tennis and quickly integrate with the rest of the club.

Pender continued: “In addition to our normal busy timetable of team matches, group coaching and mix-in sessions, we are introducing a brand new singles ‘box league’ which will give members new opportunities to play competitive mixed singles tennis against other members over the winter. 

“It will be a great way for members of any level to play against others of a similar standard and meet new people. For anyone not yet a member, now is a perfect time to join up and get involved.”

The new singles box league at Gravesham Tennis Club will launch early in November. Visit graveshamtennis.com for more information about the club.