A DORSET club has been named as among the best places to play tennis in the country for the second year in a row.

Branksome Park Tennis Club was named the Park Venue of the year in the south and south west by the Lawn Tennis Association for the second year running.

It has also been awarded the Dorset LTA award for the fourth time, after previously winning in 2018, 2021 and 2023.

Head coach Aaron Russell said it was a ‘fantastic achievement’ to receive the recognition.

“There's about 2,000 clubs nationally, and to be one of the five regional winners across the country, I'm very happy,” he said.

(Image: Newsquest)

The club has continued to grow, seeing more than 600 class bookings a month, which Aaron said is ‘extremely good’ for a five-court park club.

It was recognised for its cheap membership, too, with BCP Council setting an annual cost for families of just £38.

“That just makes it so accessible to literally any family in our community can come down and play tennis,” Aaron said.

The past year since the club’s previously triumph has seen a successful introduction of pickleball and a focus on sustainability.

The coach said: “Pickleball has been hugely popular.

“We're getting anywhere between 16 to 20 adults a session. Hugely fun, hugely social, very easy to pick up and play. You don't need years of experience and training.

“The whole family, whether you are 18 years old or 80 years old, can play together.

“It's not power dominant like tennis, so it's very accessible, very fun.”

The club has implemented a 10-point plan to reduce its carbon footprint.

This includes sourcing products for its café from local suppliers, ultra-efficient lights, recycling tennis balls and using allphalt-E in the car park, using recycled aggregates from Dorset roads.

Also in the past year, the club has installed a new defibrillator for the community, with members raising £1,200 in less than a month.

Looking forward, the club wants to build on its success, getting more people to play tennis, and become one of the leading clubs on sustainability.

Aaron said: “I'm a big believer that yes, my name is on the banner, my name is on the certificate, but it's really an award for all the members, my team and BCP Council.

“It's not just me. I feel everyone's won.”