A SPORTS CLUB is set to to give the village tennis courts a makeover after successfully winning a grant worth £10,000.

Representatives from Meifod Tennis Club were presented with the cheque prize by former England rugby star and Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood at the Aviva Community Fund Awards in Manchester.

Carol Gray and Nia Roberts, from Meifod Tennis Club, say they are “over the moon” to receive the cash boost which will help encourage locals to take up the sport for years to come.

The money will contribute towards the estimated £18,000 cost to re-surface two tennis courts based near COBRA Rugby Club.

The club says the decades old tennis courts have “reached the end of their playing life” and now is the time to give them a facelift. They hope the new courts will allow members, residents, primary school pupils, and visitors from nearby surrounding towns and villages to play on them.

“The club is working very hard to raise money for this project but some extra help is needed as this is very expensive and the club does not make a large profit.

“Meifod Tennis Club deserves funds to assist with the continuation of this community recreational facility. They want to encourage younger players to use the facilities and getting new courts will assist and secure the future of Meifod Tennis Club.”

Carol Gray said: “I had the best day with Nia attending the Aviva Community Fund Awards in Manchester. We are over the moon to say that Jelf Insurance supporting Meifod Tennis Club are one of the very lucky winners. £10,000 going to our resurfacing project. Huge well done to Nia. Aviva have today given a huge amount of money to many community projects across the country and the prize was presented to us by Rugby’s Will Greenwood. We are beaming.”

This year, more than £258,000 was awarded to projects through the Aviva Community Fund.

“Thank you to everyone that took part,” an Aviva Community Fund spokesperson said. “Whether you entered a project, backed a cause by giving them your votes or got behind one of the finalists. Your support has made a difference to hundreds of local causes enabling them building stronger communities across the UK.”