Grantham Tennis Club & Gym, situated on Gonerby Road just outside Grantham town centre, has grown over the past few decades into a thriving hub of tennis, fitness, and community life. Originally a volunteer-led club with just six courts and a small clubhouse, it expanded to include nine outdoor courts, four indoor courts, a gym, a café and bar, therapy rooms, and even an art gallery. Despite these modern facilities, the club remains firmly rooted in a volunteer ethos, with many members devoting time to community initiatives, coaching and maintaining the club’s friendly, inclusive atmosphere.
The club has earned widespread recognition for its community impact. It received the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021—an accolade equivalent to an MBE for volunteer groups—and was later named the LTA’s Club of the Year nationally for its inclusive programs and efforts to boost participation in tennis across all age groups. Membership has grown significantly, with a 44% rise even during the Covid years.
A hallmark of the club is its outstanding range of community and wellness programs. These include “Active @ 60+” beginner tennis for older adults, walking tennis, sessions for people with Parkinson’s, mental health-focused group play, disability tennis for those with learning difficulties or wheelchair use, and running-and-tennis hybrid events. Regular family-friendly open days offer free coaching, pickleball, pétanque, children’s games, face painting and refreshments.
The club also hosts fundraising events such as “tennisathons” and charity matches, raising money for local causes and honouring community members. Competitive team tennis features heavily, with juniors and adults competing in county leagues and national competitions across age categories, from under9 teams to mixed senior leagues.
Grantham Tennis Club combines well-maintained facilities and sport with a strong volunteer spirit and extensive inclusion, education, and outreach work. It truly lives up to being more than just a tennis club.
Photos courtesy of Facebook and Clubspark.
