Tennis is the perfect sport for the whole year

Some sports are suited to winter, some for the summer and some have found a way to battle through most conditions.
Tennis is naturally associated with warmer days and long evenings, but the team at Sidford Tennis Club are out on the courts all-year round, playing through the cold and wind, as well as in the sun and a gentle breeze.
It is, for that reason, tennis really is the perfect sport for ongoing fitness, mental and physical wellbeing, and social interaction.
Tennis is a game that can be played by all ages and has to be one of the healthiest sports in the roster, as can be seen at Sidford, where the three-times-a-week cardio sessions are regularly over-subscribed.
It is also a fantastic family sport, bringing together all ages of the community and Sidford proudly play home to active members over the age of 80, still enjoying social tennis.
Despite the turbulent year we have all endured, tennis remains very healthy in the Sid Valley, with approximately 350 adult and junior members in the Sidford and Sidmouth clubs.
Add in the tennis enthusiasts from Newton Poppleford, Tipton St John, Seaton and across the region, and a huge number of active participants are getting involved.
Active coaching programmes are run throughout the region, for both adults and juniors, and those sessions for the youngsters involves developing skills, which are transferrable to many other sports and connections with local schools adds in educational benefits.
Matches are held throughout the year, at various levels, including national, regional and county competitions, with around eight inter-club matches held every week in the Sid Valley.
Wimbledon is just around the corner and traditionally a time when tennis becomes more popular but all our local clubs would love to see regular visitors to their courts.
Tennis is a bit like golf, in the sense that, even on a bad day, that one great shot can keep you coming back for more.
Whether it is the forehand cross-court, backhand down the line, a punched volley, deft drop shot or a well-executed smash, tennis has it all.