Redeveloped Outdoor Sports Courts Set to Launch at Tipton Sports Academy This July

Sandwell Leisure Trust is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of a major refurbishment project at Tipton Sports Academy, bringing brand-new outdoor tennis and netball courts to the local community.

Thanks to funding from Enovert Community Trust, and support from Sandwell Metropolitan Council and England Netball, this underused outdoor space is undergoing a full transformation. The project will be completed in time for a special community launch event on Saturday 25 July. From this point onwards, the courts will be available to book.

The works involve a complete overhaul of the two existing acrylic tennis courts, which lacked proper drainage and were no longer suitable for play. These are being replaced with high-quality all-weather macadam courts, allowing year-round play regardless of the weather. New ground drainage is being installed, the courts will be painted with a striking textured blue finish and marked out for both tennis and netball. In addition, new perimeter fencing is being fitted for safety and security.

Another exciting feature includes the full refurbishment of the practice wall area, which will be brought back into use for warm-ups and training by tennis and padel players, with fresh fencing and a newly rendered and painted surface.

Once open, the courts will support a variety of sports and activities. Tennis and netball will take centre stage, with opportunities for coaching, matchplay, and casual sessions. The outdoor courts will also complement Tipton’s existing indoor tennis facilities by offering a more accessible and lower-cost option for both peak and weekend times.

The introduction of dedicated outdoor netball courts is particularly timely. Many netball sessions currently rely on school sites, which are not always available to the public. These new courts will be bookable by clubs and individuals alike, and are set to support a variety of initiatives, including Back to Netball and Walking Netball, encouraging more people of all ages and abilities to get active.

Sandwell Leisure Trust continues to work in close partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to deliver a wide range of tennis initiatives and events, helping to grow grassroots participation across the region.

Cllr Suzanne Hartwell, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community said;

‘I am delighted to see how the successful bid for Enovert funding of £47k, by Sandwell Leisure Trust is reinstating our outdoor activity space at Tipton Sports Academy,  including provision of outdoor tennis and netball courts and a practice activity area for young people just in time for summer. We are committed to finding ways to invest and improve our much-loved facilities for the residents of Sandwell to enjoy and become more active together.’

Enovert Community Trust (ECT) operates under the rules of the LCF, receiving an income of landfill tax credits from Enovert of approximately over £2.5 million a year. ECT allocates these funds to high-quality projects, with a view to making as many grants as possible.

This investment is another step forward in making sport and physical activity more accessible for everyone in Sandwell. The newly refurbished space at Tipton Sports Academy will be a fantastic asset for local residents, schools, and clubs, and we can’t wait to welcome the community at our launch event in July.