BURNHAM-ON-SEA’S Avenue Tennis Club has partnered with Performance Plus Sport (PPS) to create a Community Progression Programme, providing funded tennis sessions in the 2018/19 school year.

The goal is to support local children and create opportunities for regular tennis at Avenue, with the coaching provided by the Avenue’s qualified coaches on a Monday (5-6pm) and Tuesday (6-7pm).

The coaching is free for the players, as is club membership and equipment during the course.

PPS is a charity that was founded and is run by father and son John and James Feaver, both of whom were professional tennis players.

Both have strong links to Avenue Tennis Club and are passionate about supporting the club and encouraging more participation in sport for young sportspeople.

John Feaver visited Avenue to see coach Wendy Pryce take a Monday night session, and was pleased to see so many happy youngsters enjoying tennis on a cold and windy night.

Feaver enjoyed most of his tennis success while playing doubles, reaching 10 doubles finals, and was a French Open doubles semi-finalist in 1982.

He achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 98 in October 1973, and a career-high doubles ranking of 104 in January 1983.

From 1976 to 1997, Feaver held the record for serving the most aces in a single Wimbledon match, 42, achieved against John Newcombe (although he still lost the match).

He also represented Great Britain in the Davis Cup between 1977 and 1983, and in the mid-70s he beat Bjorn Borg twice in one week at the Beckenham tournament!

“Not many people can say that,” he said.

“I beat him in the final of the under-21 event and the quarter-final of the men’s event.”

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The first two courses started in November and will end in mid-December with dates for the second of the three blocks to be advised.

If you think your child would be interested in attending the second six-week block of sessions, please contact Barry Ramsden at the Avenue Tennis Club (01278 782758/07749 878581), visit the club's website or look on the Facebook page for more details.