Tennis racket loan scheme

Do you want to give tennis a go, without the commitment of having to buy equipment? Then Active Hastings have got you covered with their new Community Tennis Racket Loan Programme. The programme allows you to borrow a tennis racket so you can play tennis at the award-winning courts in Alexandra Park, without the expense of buying a racket. 

To use the shared tennis rackets at Alexandra Park, simply book either Court 5 or 6 (where the tennis racket box is located). After your game, return the rackets to the box for the next players to use. All you need to bring is a tennis ball. 

Court hire is £5.50 per court per hour, or you can buy a household membership (up to 5 people) for £39 for the year! Book your court here.

Alternatively, you can play for free every Sunday morning 10am to 11am, book your free place.

Cath Donovan, Physical Activity and Health Strategic Lead at Active Hastings said: “We want to make sure everyone has access to the tennis courts, and don’t want the expense of buying equipment to put people off playing. Therefore, together with Break Point Coaching we were able to collect pre-loved tennis rackets, to launch the programme, making the sport accessible to all potential players. The community tennis racket loan programme works on a trust basis, and we hope everyone who uses the rackets returns them in good condition for the next player. This scheme will be trialled and if successful will continue throughout 2026.”

Councillor Glenn Haffenden, leader of the council and lead councillor for sport and leisure, said: “The Community Tennis Racket Loan Programme is a great example of how Active Hastings understands potential barriers local people face when trying to get active. The cost of equipment is often a significant deterrent for new participant, so collecting and offering a range of pre-loved rackets, the programme hopes to encourage more people to get active and enjoy the local courts. As well as giving used rackets a new lease of life and reducing waste.”

To keep up to date on Active Hastings activities, follow their Facebook page or visit their website.

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Notes to editor: 
This year Active Hastings celebrates their 20th anniversary. Since their launch in 2006, Active Hastings has focused on breaking down barriers to physical activity for thousands of residents throughout Hastings. Working closely with local providers of physical activity to give you easy, fun ways to get your everyday dose of physical activity. It only takes 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 a day for children to get fitter, healthier and happier. You can even break it down into 10-minute slots!

Active Hastings coordinates the local Community Physical Activity Network, which brings together schools, sport clubs, National Governing Bodies of Sport, health organisations, the voluntary sector and the private sector to work together, unblock barriers to participation and improve the local sport and physical activity delivery system.

Active Hastings is hosted by Hastings Borough Council, in partnership with East Sussex County Council, and brings together a wide range of local and national partners to ensure that everyone in Hastings can get active.

Find out more at www.activehastings.org.uk or follow them on Facebook ‘Active Hastings.’

For more information contact Emma Bailey, Social Marketing and Communications Officer, Active Hastings, Hastings Borough Council on 01424 451145 or emma.bailey@hastings.gov.uk.