Dedicated stalwart of Harborough tennis community recognised nationally with lifetime achievement award

The dedicated stalwart of the Harborough tennis community has been recognised nationally with a lifetime achievement award.

Lesley Paris, chair of Market Harborough Lawn Tennis Club, was named as the runner-up in the Lifetime Achievement Award run by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) in recognition of those who volunteer to support tennis playing in the community.

The ceremony had several great names from tennis presenting the prizes such as Judy Murray and Leon Smith. Lesley received her runner-up award from the Duchess of Gloucester, losing out to a worthy winner who had given over 60 years of service to the sport.

Lesley`s achievements include raising over £300,000 for a new clubhouse, building community links and overseeing a big rise in membership. At all stages she thanked the committee who had been behind her helping to make these things happen.

Lesley was nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award by her committee for the local Leicestershire award in March this year and was successful. This automatically progressed her to the Midlands regional award which she also won. Alongside her, the club coach Phil Harris also won the local and regional Development Coach of the Year award. Both were presented with their trophies at Edgbaston Tennis Club during the grass court tournament earlier this year by Sandi Proctor, president of the LTA.

Subsequently, Lesley went to the national final presentations at LTA headquarters in Roehampton, followed by tennis at Centre Court at Wimbledon.