Tennis in Hackney, East London

About us

Club history

Hackney City Tennis Clubs began as Clissold Park Junior Tennis Club in September 1999 with a ‘pay and play’ session for 15 – 20 children on Saturday mornings.

Since then, the club has evolved in many ways. Here is a brief history:

December 1999
The club is properly constituted and becomes affiliated to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). The number of children participating in tennis continues to grow when Easter and Summer Holiday Camps are added to the programme.

September 2000
The club receives funding from the Awards for All scheme that enables it to purchase equipment, send local volunteers on coaching courses and qualified coaches into local primary schools.

Early 2001
Due to interest shown by parents and other adults, adult coaching courses are introduced at Clissold Park.

With rapidly growing numbers, the club attracts the attention of the LTA who are looking for a suitable venue to launch their City Tennis Clubs initiative.

April 2001
The London Borough of Hackney and the LTA agree to make Clissold Park Junior Tennis Club the pilot project for the City Tennis Clubs programme. Four courts and two mini tennis courts are totally refurbished, including new fencing. This is fully funded by the LTA.

June 2001
The National Launch of the City Tennis Clubs Initiative takes place at Clissold Park.

2002
The remaining four courts at Clissold Park are refurbished.

2003
The Club Structure for Junior players is completed. This provided clear guidance on the entry and exit routes for players aged 3 – 16 years and the activities offered at each stage.

2004
The Performance Structure is added with the help of a three-year sponsorship package from Barclays Capital. We now have players competing at National and International standard.

December 2008
In order to reflect the ever increasing popularity of tennis across the borough Clissold Park Junior Tennis Club is renamed Hackney City Tennis Clubs and becomes a Company Limited by Guarantee.

Future Plans

We are working with the Lawn Tennis Association and the London Borough of Hackney:

• Improve existing courts and provide new facilities including a clubhouse in Clissold Park, floodlit courts and an indoor facility.

• Increase participation in tennis.

• Provide opportunities for tennis leaders and coaches.

• Create more Community Tennis Clubs.

• Establish club/schools links.

• Increase competitive opportunities for Juniors and Adults.