About Us
Hylands Tennis
Hylands was formed by a small group of tennis lovers who wished to preserve access to the game for the benefit of the local community.
In 1990 the club applied to the local authority for the exclusive use of all 6 courts in Hylands Park, Hornchurch, and successfully obtained a 28-year lease.
In 1994, the club was awarded club school link status in recognition of the content and quality of its courses and for the significant amount of outreach work in the community.
In 1996 following grants from the English Sports Council (now Sport England) and the Foundation for Sports and the Arts all 6 tennis courts were resurfaced in macadam. The fencing was entirely replaced and the general landscaping improved.
In September 2000, the club approached The Albany school to rent their indoor sports hall to deliver a mini tennis academy for children 3 to 8.
In 2002 the Government announced a package of tax breaks in the budget aimed at Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASC) and at almost the same time the Charities Commission broadened its definition so that sports clubs could more easily qualify as charities.
The Inland Revenue set up a new sports unit, following a reform/expansion of tax-exempt treatment for certain types of sports clubs, which was included in the 2002 Finance Act in the form of the CASC. In order to obtain these tax benefits, Hylands registered as a CASC.
Facilitating access to tennis and targeting priority groups such as state schools, women and girls, people with special needs/disabilities, ethnic minority groups, young people, the over 50s were at the heart of the work we intended to carry out.
These shaped our core values and, given that as a CASC, we did not have to distribute profits to shareholders, we were able to pay for improvements from our own resources by establishing a sinking fund.
Throughout, it became clear that if we wished to influence a culture based on the importance of sport in society and sport as a way of life, we needed to create a recreational home supporting good infrastructure where individuals and families were encouraged to play and stay rather than playing and going.
An environment where everyone could gain access to playing and tuition while at the same time relaxing within comfortable surrounds.
With that in mind, between 2002 and 2004 we held a number of exploratory talks with The Albany school and this led to a feasibility study supported by both the tennis club and the school’s Governors with a view to merge forces and operate from school grounds.
By developing Hylands as a CASC, we could offer a good value for money entry medium for each and every level of player. Standards of existing players would be enhanced. Playing and practice would be on going.
In 2010 we started tutoring the LTA Tennis Leader Awards aimed at young people 13 plus.
The training was suitable for older juniors starting out a tennis career path right through to adult volunteers.
The course consisted of 10 hours of on court practical experience and 10 hours off court learning communication and organisational skills with exit routes supporting the club coach, club officials and/or refereeing.
At its peak, the club had more than 25 young tennis leaders.
We also received in-kind contributions from our patrons including Bryan Cave, Fenn Cox & Partners, WaldonWhiteJones and our own Club Administrator, Giorgio Federico, for a total amounting to £92,000.
Works were completed early in 2013 and in June 2013 Hylands moved to The Albany School now known as Hornchurch High School.
Today, Hylands continues its work facilitating access to tennis for children, young people and their families.
