Many of us may pass the Milford Tennis & Squash Club in Lucerne Road, Milford on Sea, but do you know the club's history?
The club actually started as Milford Country Club in 1927 and became a member of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) in 1935. Although tennis has always been the major sporting activity at the club, in the early years croquet and hockey were also played.
In 1936 the first squash court was built on the site and in 1950 the Squash Club, previously a separate club, merged with the Country Club. The club originally had three grass courts and four hard courts and, during these early years, the members largely played social tennis with a limited number of matches being arranged with other local clubs.
The club purchased the freehold of its 1.8 acre site in Lucerne Road in 1945.
Milford on Sea has always been a popular venue for junior tennis players and has since 1938, hosted one of Hampshire's largest Junior Tennis Tournaments.
In the late 1990‘s, the Club changed its focus to include competitive tennis, thus providing opportunities for members of all abilities to participate in internal tournaments as well as in matches with neighbouring clubs.
In 2007/8, the Club carried out major improvements to the Clubhouse which included providing new changing rooms, toilets and kitchen facilities as well as refurbishing the whole of the premises. The full cost of £140,000 was met from club funds.
Crews totalling 20 firefighters battled the blaze for two and half hours. Almost half of the single-storey sports facility was scorched by the fire and the whole building suffered smoke damage. Thankfully, nobody was injured in the fire.
In a little over a year, the Clubhouse was totally rebuilt using the money from the insurance claim, with an additional £29,000 from club funds being used to improve and upgrade the facilities. The new Clubhouse was formally opened in February 2010 by Mark Cox, the former Davis Cup tennis player, and today the Club is fortunate to have a large function room, and lounge bar capable of hosting events for up to 60 people.
The management of the club is in the hands of the Executive Committee, which consists of a President, Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and representatives of each of the Club’s main sections. The Club is run entirely on a voluntary basis and depends on the participation of a large number of the over 600 members. Social events are organized throughout the year, and both internal and open tennis tournaments held regularly. In addition to this, there are lots of informal events for children.
Racketball, squash, table tennis, ridge, mah-jong and have also become important activities enjoyed by club members.
The club has seven high quality floodlit artificial grass courts which are much admired by visiting players, two heated squash/racketball courts with viewing gallery, bar and lounge, disabled facilities and more.
Milford Tennis and Squash Club is family friendly, and all activities can be played with friends, family, or played competitively in different leagues and events.
New members are always warmly welcomed. Pop down and take a look!
For more information please contact: club@milfordtennisandaquash.net
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If you have any questions about coaching sessions, please do not hesitate to contact:
Caitlin: coaching@milfordtennisandsquash.net
Milford Tennis & Squash Club
Lucerne Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PL
01590 643899
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