'We won the tennis lottery' club gifted makeover

Local children had the opportunity to use the new courts for the first time last week.

A tennis coach in Birmingham has spoken of his shock after his club was chosen for a complete transformation.

For the last five years, Stuart Seery had been trying to get funding for Yardley Tennis Club, with no success.

Its three courts had fallen into disrepair, with cracks forming and court lines spray painted.

A charity makeover programme - which previously upgraded facilities in New York and Paris - has now transformed the playing area.

In April, Mr Seery was contacted by the companies Kith and Wilson, after being recommended by the charity Give it Your Max.

The companies were searching for their next community tennis club to makeover, after completing the previous projects the US and France.

"For the kids, they now get the opportunity to use the facilities that they deserve, it's an equal sort of opportunity for our area," he said.

Before the makeover, the three courts at Yardley Tennis Club had fallen into disrepair, with cracks forming and spray paint lines.

The restoration project was completed on 10 June, and local children are now training on the new courts.

Mr Seery said: "We've got world class facilities now, it's been surreal.

"For the last five years, we've been struggling to stay alive. When I took this club over it had six or seven members, it was ready to shut down.

"I came here and I thought 'yeah, I'll have a go', and can't believe what we have managed to achieve."

The club has been supported by a number of different charities over the last few years including Street Games, Yardley Neighbourhood Network Scheme and Volunteer it Yourself.

Through their help, and the court makeover, the club is hoping to cement itself as a community hub.

Local children using the new courts at Yardley Tennis Club.

It also works with local schools providing breakfast clubs, afternoon clubs, and coaching programmes, funded by children's tennis charity Give It Your Max.

This is something club secretary Lucy Shahriveri says they will be continuing with their new courts.

Lucy says: "To achieve this is just breathtaking, it's nothing that we thought we could ever achieve.

"I think the future is going to be huge, I really do.

"We've still got a long way ahead of us, but I think to revamp it to this standard, it just feels alive again, it's really brought a sense of excitement.

"This is just the start for us now."