Today Thongsbridge Tennis Club is the epitome of the modern, enlightened and forward-thinking sports organisation.

Major expansion has taken place in recent years – and in 2004 it was voted National Club of the Year by the LTA.

Since then it has welcomed international stars such as Martina Hingis and Pat Cash to its courts. This, of course, is a far cry from its humble origins.

The six-acre club was founded during the Great War in 1917. Originally there was a pair of grass tennis courts, a wooden pavilion and an outside toilet.

Thongsbridge was affected dramatically by the Second World War. Adult membership declined from 27 in 1939 to 13 in 1940 and just 5 in 1942 and, out of common sense, only one court was used for the duration of the conflict.

Blackout curtains were hung in the pavilion and special joining rates were offered to members of the forces. Later, military personnel were allowed to play for free. The club eventually disbanded in 1942, only re-forming officially in 1947.

The old pavilion was twice extended, once in 1959, the other in 1976. In 1952 the club affiliated to the LTA and in 1970 the shale courts replaced grass.

Now in the twenty-first century, Thongsbridge is one of the most aspirational sports organisations in the area. In 1993, the club constructed two indoor courts, then in 2000, five ageing shale courts were converted to all-weather surfaces with floodlighting.

Nearly three years ago, in 2004, two extra indoor courts and two new outdoor tennis courts were constructed, along with a new floodlit ‘kids’ zone’, designed specially for mini-tennis.

A new clubhouse was also erected complete with shop, changing rooms, café bar and fitness suite. What was once a small village club now has some fantastic accolades.

What is more, the current club is doing everything in its power to enhance its community role.
It hosts a study centre for children (see the article inside), maintains excellent relations with local schools and has close ties with Thongsbridge cricket and bowling clubs, who share the spacious Miry Lane site.

It is thanks to the foresight of the individuals who established the club in the early twentieth century, that we still have room to expand and grow.