Aviemore tennis club star up for LTA lifetime achievement award
An Aviemore woman who has worked tirelessly since the mid 1980s serving her tennis club is in the running for a lifetime achievement award from the LTA.
Yvonne Birnie claimed Tennis Scotland's accolade in April and is now against counterparts from regions across the UK for the overall title from the Lawn Tennis Association this evening.
She is being recognised by the sport's body for her massive contribution at Aviemore and Rothiemurchus Tennis Club.
Since arriving in 1986, Yvonne has led club efforts to improve the facilities and increase playing numbers.
Her most recent success was the installation of three top class polymeric courts and a covered court at the Inverdruie venue last year.
As a result the club now boasts some of the best tennis facilities in the North of Scotland.
A club spokesman said: "All of the members are keeping their fingers crossed for Yvonne. She really does deserve to win this prestigious award. The playing facilities at the club are superb and this is down largely to Yvonne's dedication and leadership. She is a real driving force and gets things done."
The LTA National Tennis Awards 2020 are having to be held online this year because of the Covid-19 outbreak – just as the Tennis Scotland awards were in Spring.
In 'normal' years, the national event would have been held at Wimbledon.
Yvonne said on her win in April: “I love tennis because it’s outdoors, it’s fun and it’s competitive – I was quite shocked to win this award but it’s nice to be rewarded."
Now in their fifth year, a record number of 2,100 nominations were received nationally for this year’s awards.
The awards are being hosted by Dave Rawlinson, LTA President, and presented by Leon Smith OBE with some special guests presenting awards.
For more information about the work the LTA is doing to grow tennis in Britain, log onto www.LTA.org.uk.