The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has launched a new capital grants programme to help transform tennis facilities in local communities.

The overall aim of the programme is to increase people playing tennis at a grassroots level. This involves developing accessible facilities, which are easy for players to find and book to use.

What is available?

There will be a total of £125 million of funding available, which will be divided between two funds.

The first one is the Transforming British Tennis Together Fund. This will support partnership bids to create Community Tennis Networks. There is no upper limit on the amount you can bid for, but you will receive up to 50% of the total funding required. Around half of this will be a grant and the other half will be an interest free loan.

The second one is Growing the Game Fund. This is for smaller venues that cannot be part of a Community Tennis Network (e.g. for geographical reasons). Again, up to 50% of the total project cost will be funded, but this will likely to be issued in the form of an interest free loan.

They will support bids including covered courts, clubhouses and cafes, floodlights, multi-sports surfaces suitable for tennis and accessible facilities that cater for disabled players.

Am I eligible to apply?

Applications will be accepted from:

• Clubs
• Schools and colleges
• Universities
• Local authorities.

How do I apply?

There is a rich guidance document, which is available on the LTA website, so please read this thoroughly before putting pen to paper.  You are advised to contact your regional LTA contact for advice as well.

When you are ready, there is an online expression of interest form to complete. If your project is eligible, you will be invited to submit a full application form.

The deadline for full application forms for larger grants is 28th September 2018. If you would like to apply for a smaller grant from the Growing the Game fund, you can submit your application at any time.