ABOUT US
Swansea Tennis Centre was once a failing Council-run tennis centre which was under threat of total closure in 2009 until a group of volunteers campaigned tirelessly to keep it open. They set up TS365 which is a ‘not for profit’ social enterprise, wrote a business plan which was accepted by Swansea City and County Council, and negotiated a 25 year lease on the Morfa building and grounds.
In 2010 having garnered support from residents, volunteers, an enthusiastic group of Board members together with the Lawn Tennis Association/Tennis Foundation, Tennis Wales and the local Council, Swansea Tennis Centre in its new form was born. TS365 had become the first non-profit social enterprise in the UK to run a tennis centre.
WHERE WE WERE
After a roller coaster ride where sceptics said they could never do it, Swansea Tennis Centre is today a thriving sports facility offering four indoor courts, four newly surfaced outdoor courts, a band new gym, Ace Fitness as well as a refurbished reception and waiting area, a physiotherapy room, 600 new solar panels, improved lighting, heating and security.
The centre provides tennis and fitness for all through a programme of tennis coaching and organised sessions for children and adults of all playing abilities as well as offering a pay and play or train facility. It is the base for the Tennis Academy, nurturing and coaching some of the best young players in Wales, and it runs tennis programmes all over Swansea in a host of Council owned venues. It also provides sessions for people with disabilities which is completely
volunteer run.
A great operations and coaching team is headed by General Manager Owain Rees. He has the support of a proactive Board with representatives drawn from throughout the local
business community.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
In 2013 60,000 people used the centre and the Centre plans to increase participation numbers year on year, ploughing any profits back into the facility to extend and improve what’s on offer. Confidence grows annually from positive feedback from those using the facilities and working with the staff and also the clutch of awards the Centre and its team members consistently win.
Swansea Tennis Centre has been recognised nationally for its contribution to tennis, winning an Outstanding Achievement Award at the Tennis Wales Awards in 2012. It’s also used as a ‘best practice’ example by the Lawn Tennis Association and is the best performing four indoor court facility in the UK.
It has plans to cover the four outside courts and build more, and to extend the Ace Fitness Gym.
Whatever physical and structural developments take place in the future, the ethos of Swansea Tennis Centre will remain constant – tennis and fitness for the people of Swansea and its surrounding areas, whatever your age, ability or level of fitness.
WHERE WE'RE GOING
