Judy Murray OBE to visit Atlantic Racquet Centre in Bideford, North Devon

Atlantic Racquet Centre (ARC) in Bideford, Devon has announced that legendary tennis coach Judy Murray OBE will be visiting the centre on Wednesday, September 18 to see first-hand ARC’s ongoing commitment to ensuring racquet sports and fitness activities are affordable, accessible and inclusive for the local and wider North Devon Community.

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 and two SEN schools, as well as local disability centres and community groups.  

Judy Murray’s visit comes as ARC seeks funding to complete the final phase of its ongoing building project. As a charity, ARC relies on funding and donations to aid the maintenance and continued development of its high quality and affordable facilities. The final phase of building work will bring a multi-sports hall and café to the centre, providing the local area with a much-needed community hub, with health, wellbeing and learning at its core.

Judy Murray’s own contribution to charity fundraising, tennis and female empowerment saw her appointed OBE in 2017. Judy founded the Judy Murray Foundation that seeks to bring tennis into rural and disadvantaged areas in Scotland.

Judy’s visit to ARC will be a unique opportunity for local schoolchildren as well as adults and children with physical and learning disabilities to meet a British Tennis icon. The visit will also include a tour of the centre and a chance to experience a few of the wide-ranging sports and activities ARC offers the community:

• 30 local schoolchildren participating in one of ARC’s Super Tennis Weeks.
• Disability Tennis Sessions run in collaboration with Northam Care Trust, a local charity supporting individuals with learning and physical disabilities.
• Adult group activities across the sports ARC offers including tennis, badminton, squash and table tennis.
• An Over 50’s fitness class, one of many fitness classes offered by ARC in its gym & fitness facility.

Tom Vinall, ARC General Manager, said: “Community is at the heart of everything we do, and this is a special opportunity for local people who use Atlantic Racquet Centre to meet a legend of tennis and advocate for affordable, accessible and inclusive sport. We’re looking forward to showing Judy the work we do and how much we’ve developed since opening in 2015.

“Although we’ve come a long way, there is still building work that needs to be completed so that we can serve our community in even more ways. We hope Judy’s visit will help spread the word about Atlantic Racquet Centre and everything we’re striving to achieve.”