Tennis ambassador heaps praise on Bideford centre

Atlantic Racquet Centre (ARC) in Bideford, Devon welcomed legendary tennis coach Judy Murray OBE for a tour of the community racquet and fitness centre as they seek funding to complete the final phase of building development.

Judy Murray met local school children and individuals with learning and physical needs during the visit and presented four lucky participants with sweatbands worn by her son, British tennis icon Andy Murray.

ARC is a community-focussed racquet & fitness centre and charity run by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers with the vision to be a place where everyone can exercise, socialise and develop skills in a safe and supportive environment.

As part of this vision, ARC runs a prolific community outreach programme that includes 14 local primary schools, three secondary schools, two SEN schools as well as local disability centres and community groups.

Judy Murray met with children and teachers from Appledore Primary, Parkham Primary, Buckland Brewer Primary and Woolsery Primary, and joined in a Disability Tennis session with participants from Northam Care Trust, an award-winning charity providing support for those with learning and physical disabilities in North Devon.

Judy Murray watched sessions and classes offered by ARC including a Badminton No-Strings session, Bat & Chat Table Tennis, Adult Tennis Super Drills, and both a Teen and Over 50’s fitness class in the ARC gym.

About the visit, Judy Murray said: “ARC is probably the best example of a true community multi-sports centre that has tennis at its heart that I’ve seen across the country - run as a charitable foundation and done for the good of the community and for the good of getting people active.

“It was great to see different sports, mini tennis for local schools, and special needs groups co-existing in a hive of activity. There is still a job to do in terms of fundraising to complete the café and studio space, but ARC should be very, very proud of the work they’ve done to create an incredible asset for your local area.”

Judy Murray’s visit comes as ARC seeks funding to complete the final phase of its ongoing building project to bring a multi-sport hall and café to the centre, providing the local area with a much-needed community hub, with health, wellbeing and learning at its core.

As a charity, ARC relies on funding and donations to aid the maintenance and continued development of its high quality and affordable facilities.

Tom Vinall, ARC General Manager, said: “All of the staff, volunteers and trustees at ARC are incredibly grateful for Judy taking the time to visit the centre. We know how much of a thrill it was for everyone taking part in activities on the day to meet a legend of British tennis, especially the many children we had in attendance from local schools.

“Judy has been such a brilliant advocate for affordable, accessible and inclusive sport, and these are values that are at the heart of everything we do. We are actively fundraising to complete building work at ARC to create even more opportunities for people to exercise, socialise and learn together.”

Any businesses or individuals interested in sponsor opportunities or donating to the final phase of ARC’s building project should contact Tom Vinall, General Manager, at tom@atlanticracquetcentre.co.uk