Free family tennis day
Published
Monday 23 June, 2025
Updated
Monday 23 June, 2025
Get active at a free family tennis fun day being hosted by the Sittingbourne Tennis Club and Swale Borough Council.
You can give tennis a try, ahead of the Wimbledon finals, and test out the refurbished tennis courts at Milton Recreation Ground in Sittingbourne at a free event on Saturday, 5 July.
The Barclays Big Tennis Weekend Open Day gives Swale residents the opportunity to try the sport for free - with all equipment provided - while being guided by trained LTA tennis activators.
If you want to take part in the fun day you will need to book a free slot, between 10am and 1pm.
The council has been hosting free tennis sessions on the first Sunday of every month at King George’s, alongside competitive Barclays Tennis Leagues since the courts reopened last year after a full refurbishment.
This included new nets, resurfacing and repainting of the courts thanks to a £124,578.54 investment by the UK government and LTA Tennis Foundation, and an additional injection of £32,413 from the council.
The park tennis courts at King George V Playing Fields in Sittingbourne also went through these extensive improvement works.
Fences and gate access technology were installed to make it easier for players to find, book and get on the courts, whilst helping maintain their new high standards for future generations.
Frequent players can buy season tickets allowing daily access to the courts for £40 per year and casual users can book a court for £6 per hour.
The funds raised make sure the courts can be kept at this high standard for years to come.
Book a session for either location online on the LTA’s website.
Cllr Hannah Perkin, chair of the Housing, Health and Communities Committee, said:
“The refurbishment of these tennis courts has helped grow the sport in Swale, giving our residents access to affordable, high-quality facilities.
“We have also worked with the LTA to host monthly free sessions which have helped remove the barriers to playing the sport, including guidance from trained activators and all the equipment being provided.
“With Wimbledon around the corner - putting tennis in the spotlight - this is the perfect opportunity to continue growing the sport, so we hope to see you at this event!
“And of course a big thank you to the LTA and the Sittingbourne Tennis Club for all their help making these events, the free sessions and our competitive leagues possible.”
Danny Braund, Chairman of Sittingbourne Tennis Club, said:
"I’m really looking forward to the Barclays Big Tennis Weekend.
"Having run the first free parks tennis sessions alongside our secretary we've seen firsthand how powerful tennis can be in bringing people together.
"This event is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to come along and try tennis for free.
"Tennis is for everyone, and as a club we're proud to be part of making it accessible to our whole community."
