Floodlighting at Ilminster Tennis Club are to go green as the club ‘sets and example’ in a scheme aimed at promoting sustainability.

The club has emerged as a leader in the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) Pledgeball League, winning a round in the 2023 league, meaning the club won a £500 grant, which will be spent on replacing existing floodlights with energy-efficient LEDs.

It also meant they were guest coin flippers at the Queen’s Club tournament earlier this year.

Gill Dunn of Ilminster Bowling & Tennis Club said: “We take immense pride in winning a round of the LTA Pledgeball League for the second consecutive year, which reflects our club's dedication to sustainability.

“As a small club in Somerset, our facilities are vital to the local community, and the threat of issues like flooding could have a devastating impact. It's gratifying to see our members making daily changes that positively impact the environment.”

The Pledgeball league aims to promote sustainable practices at tennis clubs and encourages platers to make everyday pledges that positively impact the environment.

Players at LTA-registered venues can submit pledges through the Pledgeball website, committing to actions such as buying second-hand tennis equipment, taking public transport to venues, walking or cycling to play tennis, and using reusable water bottles. Each pledge is translated into a CO2 equivalent, providing a tangible measure of each individual's contribution to carbon reduction.

Iain Lancaster, club support manager at the LTA, said: "It's fantastic to see that players at Ilminster have continued their commitment to environmental sustainability. The fact that this commitment forms part of a wider strategy at the club, encouraging positive climate action on a day-to-day basis, shows how passionate the club is about protecting the places we play and is an example for other clubs across the country to follow as we look to safeguard the sport for future generations."

The club’s initiatives include:

● Wildflower Area Creation: Designated a wildflower area behind the car park to boost biodiversity.

● Promotion of Cycling: Installed bike racks by the tennis courts to encourage members to cycle to the venue.

● Energy-Efficient Lighting: The club plans to use the £500 LTA grant to replace existing floodlights with energy-efficient LEDs.