MUSSELBURGH Tennis Club has proven it is ‘ace’ after picking up a top award at a national ceremony.

Tennis Scotland held its annual awards ceremony, with clubs, competitions and individuals recognised for their efforts.

Musselburgh Tennis Club earned the Communities and Park award and Sean Elliot, chairman at the club, which is based at Lewisvale Park, was “pretty pleased”.

He said: “We did not expect it.

“Actually, we are not sure who nominated us and were obviously delighted to be nominated.

“We are even more delighted to win the award.”

The club was praised for having innovatively engaged local groups of players, both new and returning, to play tennis in a welcoming community venue setting.

Mr Elliot told Courier Sport they had benefited from coronavirus restrictions being eased and people looking to try their hand at the sport. At the same time, a lot of hard work had gone on behind the scenes to attract people to the game.

He highlighted “a pretty active” coaching programme, which extended from secondary school through to adulthood.

He said: “That coaching programme extends from three to whatever age you might want to return to playing tennis or even start playing tennis.

“We have got a junior and adult coaching programme.

“We have tried reasonably successfully to build relationships with Musselburgh Grammar School as well.”

Work has also been completed in recent years to resurface the courts and introduce floodlights.

Mr Elliot said that was just phase one, with funding already in place for a new pavilion at the courts.

It is hoped that work will start on the new facility this summer.

Karen Lamb, of East of Scotland Tennis, was named Performance Coach of the Year, while the East Lothian Open missed out on the Competition of the Year to Nairn 90th Tournament.

An awards ceremony will be held for recent winners at the Davis Cup in September, as part of the celebrations marking the Emirates Arena’s role as a host of group stage matches.

Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland chief executive, said: “I would like to congratulate each of the winners, alongside everyone who stepped up and played their part in continuing to grow our sport by facilitating welcoming tennis environments all over the country. 

“As the governing body, it gave us great pleasure to witness a plethora of Scottish success stories across the year, on a national and international level.

“I wish the very best of luck to our winners and LTA President Award nominee as they aim to pick up more accolades at the LTA Awards later this year.”