THE start of Wimbledon prompts many to pick up their rackets.

There’s something about the game, the thrill and excitement exuding from the centre-court action at the prestigious London postcode that entices even those who aren’t players of the game to be fixed to the screen.

For tennis fans it is the opportunity to pick up tips from those at the top of their game and savour the action which they can then try and replicate on a court close to them.

Viewing the game is particularly enjoyable for Simon Newton.

“I watch tennis all the time; my children know every single player and they even know what rackets they use.”

As a tennis coach, Simon is used to passing on his expertise and skills to the talented young, and older, players he works with at Cleckheaton Lawn Tennis Club, one of the oldest grass court clubs in the county.

Established more than a century ago, the club in Kirklands, which is a member of the Lawn Tennis Association, also boasts two hard (shale) courts created in 1924 and 1938 and a macadam court laid in 1960.

In 2010 two new porous macadam courts were laid.

The club is run by a committee of members with the primary intention of providing the opportunity for players of all standards to play tennis.

Described as a ‘grass roots’ club with its apt motto ‘Tennis “serves” the Community at Cleckheaton Lawn Tennis Club - its initial membership from its formation in 1892 to the 60s/70s mainly comprised local business, trade and professional people, but membership has changed to become fully inclusive.

Historically, at one time, juniors weren’t allowed. They now account for approximately 50 per cent of the club’s membership and the professional coaching programme Simon and the club are delivering, as well as its outreach programme and working with schools for more than 15 years, is contributing to its continued success.

The club is also the perfect platform for those wanting to return to tennis as it also offers ladies adult coaching and Free Back to Tennis for all adults.

For Simon it is a labour of love. “I was just 12 years old when my elder brother Steve said let’s have a go at tennis whilst on holiday. So, on a wet summers day, we trudged slowly over wet sand to play and ever since then I’ve been totally addicted to the sport,” he says.

Another beach encounter with the game in later life, this time with his daughter Natasha, brought him back to the game and led to him pursuing it as a profession.

“I fell into tennis. I started playing with my daughter on the beach when she was six or seven, and she showed a bit of promise so I thought I would coach her,” explains Simon.

Natasha, who is now 23, played alongside elite tennis players for Loughborough University but 10 years ago, when she was at the top of her game, she was number four in Yorkshire.

Following on from his daughter’s success, proud father Simon is now passing on his prowess to other young tennis hopefuls - and adults, of course.

The club has 120 members with ages ranging from five to the 70s and above proving the old adage that you are never too old to learn!

Its teams, comprising five mens, two ladies and under 15 and under 18 junior teams play in the Huddersfield. Bradford and Calderdale Leagues.

Simon has been a qualified coach for 12 years and also plays competitively in the Huddersfield Tennis League for Cleckheaton Tennis Club.

“I just love the fact when you hit the ball it is so enjoyable. It is the reaction of it and you are on the court by yourself. It keeps you fit and it is therapeutic,” says Simon.

Through its extensive coaching programme the club recently became involved with the Davis Cup Legacy a project which aims to inspire, and offer 10,000 new children, the opportunity to learn to play tennis for free.

Simon is among the specially selected Legacy Coaches recruited to join Leon Smith, the Great Britain captain and mentor to Andy Murray who, along with his team of mentors including Annabel Croft and Greg Rusedski, are helping to shape the future of junior tennis in Great Britain.

Young participants are offered free six week tennis coaching sessions and a free racket at the end of the course.

“I have had juniors who have turned up when they were seven, eight and nine and had never hit a tennis ball before. “Five or six years later they are playing for the club adults or juniors.

“It is such a privilege from my position to coach them,” says Simon.

He recognises the surge in interest during Wimbledon but would like to see people continue their interest rather than briefly picking up a racket while the competition is on.

There is certainly plenty of demand at this club where they run tennis camps for children and regularly host open days offering people the chance to try their hand at the game.

During an informal session on a Friday evening, where youngsters are given the opportunity to participate in an introductory session to the sport, fun racket and ball-themed activities and games give them a taster of the sport as well as providing a team-building experience.

The club provides a relaxed and non-competitive environment in which the children can thrive and strive towards taking up the game for real.

It also gives families the opportunity to participate in a sport together as one tennis playing Mum proved when she joined her young daughter for an informal game after the fun session had ended.

As with all sports, the health benefits of playing tennis are endless and, particularly for young people it is a break from technology, giving them the opportunity to try something new - and spend time in the fresh air.

“It is such a life time sport and you can play it at six or when you are 80,” says Simon.

“We are always wanting more members and this is an opportunity to give this wonderful sport a try.

“It is addictive is tennis; I have seen so many young people who cannot stop and practically live at the club for the next 10 years.”

For more information about the club visit cleckheatonlawntennisclub.talktalk.net; call 01274 873659 or email clecktennis@yahoo.co.uk.