Real tennis club under new ownership

The future of Holyport Real Tennis Club has been assured after a successful buy-out by players determined to prevent the site being turned into housing.

A consortium of four players, who have not been named, masterminded the move with the help of the game's governing body the Tennis and Rackets Association (TRA).

In February, on the eve of hosting one of the sport's major amateur tournaments, plans were announced to redevelop Holyport Real Tennis Club into housing.

That tournament went ahead, with Australia beating Great Britain 3-2 to clinch the Bathurst Cup. But the development never happened.

The club, founded in 1899, is listed as a community value asset. This gave the community a six-month window to table a bid.

The amount paid for the club in Holyport Street has not been revealed.

Holyport has four professionals, Chris Bray, Andy Chinneck, Tom Durack and Lesley Ronaldson.

Chris Bray is delighted it has been safeguarded at a time when interest in the sport is on the up.

The 47-year-old said: "We're really expanding. We've got 160-70 members now and new people are calling every day.

"As soon as the TRA got wind of the private sale the chances of it being developed were close to zero."

According to the TRA's chief executive Chris Davies, Holyport's proximity to London and its history make it an important venue for the circuit.

He said: "We have pushed hard in the community because we wanted to make it harder for developers to build homes there."

He added: "The club's been in Holyport for over 100 years. There's not many old establishments left."

Mr Bray and Mr Davies say that real tennis unfairly has an image problem.

The sport, famously played by Henry VIII, has been associated with the aristocracy. MR

Mr Davies said: "We are trying to get more juniors involved in the game, lose the elitist tag, support the clubs and help them get the game out."

The club has been under new ownership since October 1.