Bill Lothian, 6th July 2020

If there is such a thing as a sporting success story during the current pandemic it is surely to be found at Joppa Tennis Club where the sport’s popularity has rocketed to the extent membership has had to be closed.

At present the club has 120 family members, including approximately 40 juniors, and 10 single memberships.

Interest is so intense that playing time on Joppa’s two courts is restricted to four x one hour slots per individual each week and club official Chris Thomas says: “Since coming out of lockdown (largely singles play only for the time being) we have been fully booked for two weeks ahead.”

Founded in 1915 on land donated by a local builder, responsibility for the maintenance and running of the courts passed in 1997 from the City of Edinburgh Council to the newly formed Portobello Community Council.

But it was not until the start of the millennium that with the courts falling into disrepair a decision was taken to launch a major fund raising project to ensure the club’s future.

Now sufficient grants and resources have been found to provide a more up-to-date polymeric surface expected to be kinder on joints and promote longer rallies.

Work is expected to start later this year.

Chris Thomas adds: “Part of our success stems from work undertaken by coaches Calum Meston and Finn McLean who have delivered tennis to local schools.

“Fees are competitive at £85 for a family membership and £60, single.

“I suspect, too, that lockdown has left local people clamouring for some new form of exercise and hand-in-hand with this we are also promoting non-playing memberships to encourage a community hub effect.”

Joppa had intended to run two men’s teams this year in the VMH East of Scotland Leagues with a women’s team lined-up to debut.

The pandemic has put paid to that but competitive teams will be seen on the Joppa courts with coaches Meston and McLean organising a "Davis Cup style" event for the juniors during August, subject to government restrictions being eased.

Photograph shows some of the senior and junior members who are contributing to the Joppa tennis boom -  

Iona Senew, Andrew Senew, Calum Meston, Poppy Thomas, Chris Thomas, Elise Thomas, Luke McCartney and Mark McCartney.