Elaine Urquhart, chair of Yeovil Tennis Club, has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Somerset LTA in recognition of her many years of volunteering and support for tennis at Yeovil.

Normally just one such award is made each year in Somerset.

Elaine joined Yeovil Tennis Club in 1989 and in the past 10 years she has served as Chair and was Club Secretary for 10 years before that. Under her guidance the membership has risen to a record 185.

Andy Fay, LTA Chairman of Somerset, presented a framed certificate at a ceremony attended by members and friends at the club at Johnson Park on Saturday (30th March).

He said: “Elaine, you have gone above and beyond to win this award and it’s long overdue. You’ve done a fabulous job and transformed the club.”

In reply Elaine said: “This is a great honour and it’s been wonderful working with all the members who have become great friends over the years. We pride ourselves on being a friendly club and we really love our tennis with club sessions often attracting up to 20 players.”

Babs Martin, a member of the Committee, reflected: “Elaine is a wonderful figurehead for a friendly tennis club. Her enthusiastic can-do attitude makes things happen and everyone feels welcome.”

Nick Dyer, a member who joined a year ago, added: “Yeovil is an extremely welcoming and sociable club and extremely well-run.”

Recently three of the four courts had new lights put in, and the courts themselves were renewed and repainted in the past five years. This spring the club has been preparing to give coaching to pupils with special educational needs from Fairmead School.

This summer the club will be fielding eight teams in the local leagues.