LONG term member of Lymm-based Manor Road Tennis Club, Pete Radcliffe, has received the Lawn Tennis Association’s ‘Cheshire Volunteer of the Year Award 2023’ for his work in helping create and develop four new, artificial ‘Tiger Turf’ courts in the walled garden of Lymm Rugby Club.
Pete, who has been a member for over 25 years, first attempted to move the club from the old site in Manor Road back in 2006. However, he stuck to his guns and, following two more attempts, eventually teamed up with Lymm Rugby Club and started the successful project in 2019, completing in the summer of 2023.
Pete takes up the story: ‘Manor Road Tennis Club is now part of what is recognised as a thriving Lymm Sports Hub and this is transformational.
‘The reaction of existing and many new members has been superb, with regular tennis now possible throughout the winter, including entering the Winter League for the first time and having our Christmas social event on our own courts was very special.
‘Our main project collaborators are David Simpson and Andy Leach, Lymm RFC’s Chair and Treasurer respectively, but all members of the Rugby Board were hugely supportive. Within MRTC, Chair Keith Moss played a vital role directing and encouraging throughout.
‘Roy Kettle, as Secretary, has been my right-hand man for the past year and since the project was completed has taken over running ‘operations’ in the Walled Garden, attracting new members and organising events, such as regular social tennis.
‘All the other members of the MRTC Committee deserve credit too for their support, input and time in helping make it all happen.
The LTA Award in Cheshire was made in recognition of Pete’s project management role and is part of a national scheme involving a total of 22 awards throughout the UK.
‘On behalf of all my colleagues I am enormously delighted and proud to receive this award. It was a complex project, technically and culturally, involving many stakeholders, and it provides such a legacy.
‘It required significant perseverance and project management skills, particularly communication, to cope with the setbacks, delays and other issues, whilst retaining the end vision.
‘Our ambition is to build on the new foundation provided to realise the original aims and grow the membership, becoming a significantly larger tennis section within the Lymm Sports Hub. Exciting times ahead!’ concluded Pete.
