Miners' tennis courts get first upgrade since 1990s

Tennis courts at a miners' welfare sports ground are to be upgraded for the first time in 30 years.

The facilities at Mexborough Miners' Welfare will be improved so that players can use them all year round.

The Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) charity has part-funded court resurfacing and new floodlights and fencing.

It said: "The facilities at Mexborough Miners' Welfare are a valued community asset, and these upgrades will help protect and enhance the tennis court for future generations."

Other grants for the work came from Sport England and the FCC Communities Foundation. The local community also raised £1,296.

The courts at the Mexborough Athletic Sports and Social Club are used by Mexborough Tennis Club, which has seen junior membership increase in recent years.

The welfare sports and social club complex dates back to the 1920s, when Mexborough was surrounded by several coal mines, to encourage recreation for colliery workers and their families.

As well as tennis, there are outdoor pitches for football and cricket at the site on New Oxford Road.

Chair of Mexborough Tennis Club, Chris Skelton, said: "The club had new courts done back in the mid-1990s and nothing has been done since. We're completely renovating the facilities.

"We've never had floodlights before, so that's going to improve playability throughout the year, which should be fantastic for everybody concerned."

Shaun Bennett from Mexborough Miners' Welfare added: "The funding is a fantastic boost for Mexborough Miners' Welfare, the tennis club and the wider community. These improvements will create first-class facilities, encourage more people to get involved in tennis and ensure the courts can be enjoyed all year round."

The tennis club said work was well under way and was expected to be finished before the end of July.

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