ELLESMERE Port City Tennis Club is enjoying a double celebration after netting two major county prizes.

The thriving community club was crowned Club of the Year at the Cheshire Lawn Tennis Association annual presentation evening while their stalwart coach Monica Robinson won the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The club has proved to be a big hit since it was formed four years ago – with 2010 its most successful year yet despite the club’s West Cheshire College home being a building site for the past 18 months.

Club secretary Carol Clarke said: “We have managed to build a successful team at Ellesmere Port even though we have lacked the facilities of other clubs in the area.

“Despite the building work that has been going on, we have had the full support of West Cheshire College, who have gone out of their way in ensuring the minimum disruption to the tennis club. That has enabled us to remain competitive and successful.”

Based at the Ellesmere Port campus of the college, the club has continued to grow since its formation, gaining City Tennis Club accreditation from the Tennis Foundation as well as Tennis Clubmark status, which recognises excellent standards, safe environments for children and comprehensive coaching.

Carol added: “We are a community club and have children from all backgrounds coming along and taking up tennis.

“We have had a successful year in competitions, especially when you consider that we have been facing far wealthier tennis clubs.”

The club saw off competition from Prestbury and Hartford to be named the county’s top club at the Cheshire LTA bash in Warrington – but there was only ever going to be one winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Monica, a coach at the club as well as its junior organiser, has given her life to tennis and her dedication has allowed young people from a variety of backgrounds to take up and enjoy success in the sport.

Modest Monica, who lives on the Wirral, said: “It was very nice to get the award but it was more important for the club to win. We have a new coach in Graham Mactaggart and we are now looking to move the club forward.”

Rising star Eden Richardson was also honoured on the night for a season to remember in which she has become the number-one ranked under 12s girls player in Great Britain.

Eden and her fellow Ellesmere Port City Tennis Club members will be celebrated at the club’s presentation evening that takes place tomorrow at the Groves Sports & Social Club.