MEMBERS of a long-running tennis club feel like they’ve won the lottery after netting significant funding.

High Coniscliffe’s Wellfield Tennis and Recreation Club will be completely refurbished after securing £74,611 in National Lottery funding.

The cash injection from Sports England will allow the club to throw open its doors to a new generation of players.

Funds will be used to build a new clubhouse beside existing courts at the Mill Lane site.

Designated male and female changing rooms will allow the club to welcome back schools and colleges who need separate areas to change.

The new building will also feature full disabled access and facilities that will help the club attract disabled players to the sport.

The existing wooden structure will be demolished and replaced by the clubhouse, a brick built fit-for-purpose building that members hope will help the club continue to thrive.

Mike Sowerby, who managed the funding bid on behalf of Wellfield, said the club was extremely grateful.

He added: “We are all absolutely delighted to have secured this investment which wil improve the club facilities hugely for the benefit of our existing members, new potential players and the local community for many years to come.”

Wellfield is among 148 community sports projects to have secured a share of £9m in National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund.

The Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnston, said: “The Inspired Facilities Fund has had a huge impact on grassroots sport across the country.

“Since 2011, we’ve invested £102 million into more than 1,920 projects to improve and refurbish sports clubs and transform non-sporting venues into vibrant community sports clubs.

“It’s great to see Wellfield Tennis Club join the long list of successful clubs to benefit from this fund.”

To apply for funding, visit sportengland.org/inspired facilities.