In the UK over 1.7 million people play tennis every month with 20% of those playing in clubs and 28% playing in leisure centres, with a staggering 5.4 million playing at least once a year.
Thanks to companies like Tennis World accessibility to grass roots tennis has now been well-established making it enjoyable, open, welcoming and relevant to everyone.
Tennis World have recently upgraded their playing surfaces at their state-of-the art facility in Middlesbrough. In the past Tennis World has served up several Wimbledon aces, now Middlesbrough’s largest independent tennis club has had its first makeover in 30 years. In 2018 Tennis World was given a six-figure “New lease of life” with world-standard indoor and outdoor courts. Tennis World is unique in having 4 indoor and 6 outdoor courts. The recent refurbishment would enable a brand-new suite of playing surfaces to be installed, delivering both top performance and playability.
In providing new courts, the choice of playing surfaces where the general public and future champions could practice and compete on would be crucial. Tennis World would ultimately choose Yorkshire-based Playrite to supply their Matchplay 2 product to meet and surpass their stringent requirements.
Playrite is a division of National Floorcoverings, a UK family owned group of companies dating back to 1873. The business has a combined experience in a vast array of flooring types. Playrite is the only UK Company to develop, design and manufacture all three types of artificial surface for sports and leisure, Tufted, Needlepunch and Woven.
Nigel Garton, Centre Manager, Tennis World commented, “We opted for the Playrite Matchplay 2 product for a few reasons. Outdoors we wanted an all-weather medium paced artificial grass surface.” He added, “We had visited various venues and tried various surfaces in the winter as we needed a surface which was playable during or immediately after rain. This was important to us as in the North East of England as we have so much bad weather.
“Commenting on the indoor performance requirements Nigel Garton further said, “We decided we wanted a needlepunch surface as our research revealed this would be the hardest wearing medium-paced product and would be a great surface for all ages and standards. Also, Playrite are the only company using green and purple which we wanted as my research told me purple is the polar-opposite colour to the yellow ball but also the colours look very good”.
Nigel Garton added, “The Playrite surfaces are excellent both in and outdoors. As soon as it stops raining outside you can play on them. Also, the bounce and comfort indoors are second to none.”
Ken Smith, Area Sales Manager, Playrite Ltd, commented, “Our Matchplay 2 surface was initially recommended by a technical consultant known to Nigel Garton at Tennis World. We visited Tennis World with sample products and supporting information plus further research. A visit by Tennis World staff to an existing tennis club using Matchplay 2 influenced their final decision.” On challenges about the installation Ken Smith went on to further comment, “We had to ensure that the purple court colour fibre which was not a standard colour at that time could be sourced, manufactured and approved by Tennis World, all within budget and on time.” He added, “A great tennis surface needs to be tested to industry standards with a performance level to suit specific club and player requirements. It’s also crucial to have a no-nonsense installation, aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance and be made in the UK.”
Ken Smith concluded, “We developed an excellent working relationship with Tennis World by supplying a good line of communication and support throughout the specification and installation process.” Adding comment Nigel Garton said, “Playrite have been first class on our pre-installation and sourced clubs that allowed us try out the Matchplay 2 product. Playrite also finished on time and were always on hand to talk to us even when they were on holiday.”
Nigel Garton ended by saying, “On the whole all the feedback has been very positive on both Playrite surfaces. I always highly recommend Playrite to any clubs looking to resurface and would definitely use them again in the future.”Playrite have been manufacturing sport and play surfaces in Yorkshire since 1991 with the parent company dating back even further. Playrite supply products throughout the UK and export their surfaces for installation on a Worldwide basis. Playrite offer a wide range of surfaces for sports, playgrounds, multi-use sports areas and artificial grass for gardens.
