UNLIKE other clubs, players at Cwmbran Tennis Club need not put away their rackets when the tennis season comes to an end in winter.

The tennis club, which is situated in the grounds of Greenmeadow Golf Club in Cwmbran, is the only club in South East Wales to have an inflatable dome which is used to cover three of its six courts in the colder weather.

The unique bubble, which was only just taken down in mid-April this year, means club members – who include both juniors and adults – can play the sport all year round.

And it is this continuity, said head coach Pat Wilson, which accounts for the club’s increased popularity over the last couple of years.

“The unique facilities at the tennis club means coaching and matches can take place all year round,” he said. “It’s great for continuity”.

Thanks to the club’s USP – the dome which is the only one of its kind in South East Wales – Cwmbran Tennis hosts a winter league, welcoming teams from all over Gwent when many other clubs are closed up.

Mr Wilson has been heading up the coaching for a year and a half now – another factor in keeping a sense of constancy at the club, he said.

“In the past the club has been chopping and changing coaches but now they have more stability and continuity with me and the assistant coach, Mike Forrest.

“They get to know the coach and the adult classes are growing”.

The club welcomes a range of ages and levels, from children as young as five to adults playing on the courts well into their 70s and 80s.

Former premier standard player Mr Wilson teaches a wide range of ages from children as young as five. The club holds two “mini red” classes for five to eight-year-olds, a “mini orange” class for eight to nine-year-olds and then a “mini green” for nine to 10-year-olds.

After reaching 10-years-old, the juniors play “yellow ball” – the normal tennis ball used by professionals but which is too heavy for the youngsters.

For the adults, the club holds beginners, intermediate and advanced classes for men and women.

Mr Wilson said the club generally teaches more juniors than adults, estimating the club has around 50 youngsters and between 30 to 40 adults. But since launching its cardio tennis class, the club has seen a steady growth in the number of adults.

“Cardio tennis appeals to a lot of people,” Mr Wilson said. “It involves tennis-related high-intense exercises. They have become very popular.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the club also notices a boost in its members using the facilities during peak tennis season – think Wimbledon and the popular Grand Slam tournaments.

“Especially when the sun’s out and the tennis is on TV there is an increase in people using the club,” said Mr Wilson, who was born in Chepstow and played as a junior at many tennis clubs before completing a degree in exercise science.

So what makes a good tennis player?

“Commitment and perseverance,” maintains Mr Wilson. “As long as you are committed and show perseverance you are going to progress. So it’s up to you how much you put in.

“And we have got commitment from a lot of the players, they thoroughly enjoy it.”

Tennis is a sport unlike others, he added, because of the fact players are all alone out there on the court.

“It takes a certain type of character, it’s an individual game,” he said. “You are playing out there on your own. Of course it’s different from rugby and football which are team games, because tennis is all about the individual and because of that it develops character.”

The club is clearly welcoming to all, and the head coach reiterates how the club is “open to all” whether teaching basic skills to beginners or developing players’ techniques.

“It’s a very welcoming club and it’s always good to increase the numbers”, Mr Wilson said. “We’re always planning to grow it.”

Club chairman, Dave Gullick agrees the club’s future must be focused on increasing participation and membership.

The club has been working with Torfaen council as well as local schools in the borough who regularly send pupils to the tennis facilities. It also has an agreement with the Parkway Hotel in Cwmbran where the hotel’s customers can use the club.

“We work together and get assistance from the council on advice in running our club,” Mr Gullick said.

“Twenty per cent of our members are from outside Cwmbran but we want even more, we want to increase participatory support. We want to go wider, to Pontypool and up the Valleys. We are always looking at ways to expand.”

As well as increasing membership, the club must keep planning ahead, said Mr Gullick.

“The dome is getting on and it’s going to need replacing in the next four to five years, something which is expected to cost about £100,000.

“It’s all about developing the facilities. We recently got a new clubhouse, a pavilion which is very nice. We did that all through our own money by raising £20,000.”

Mr Gullick said the club committee is also fighting for a sign to be put up on the main road near to the club, to further attract new members. They are currently seeking funding for the sign.

And it is clear the strong focus on developing facilities leads to success in tennis.

The club has players who are playing in the top tennis premier league and Welsh league standard, with head coach Pat Wilson an ex-professional.

“Over the last couple of years the club has really moved forward,” Mr Gullick said. “We have been welcoming new members and continue to do so.”

The chairman and coach is inviting those who fancy having a go at the sport to go along for a free taster session to see if they like it.

From there, there is a range of membership options for a single adult, couple, family, full time student, junior and concessions. The club also operates a pay and play system so any members of the public can enjoy the facilities.

The full coaching programme also runs for both children and adults during week nights, There also also social tennis sessions on Saturday mornings from 10am to 12pm and Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 9pm. For more information visit www.cwmbrantennis.co.uk.