Why does the club need your help?

You may have heard whispers that Bristol City Council are considering terminating the long-standing arrangement between our club, Greville Smyth Tennis Club, and themselves. Those whispers are true. If this happens, the courts will be taken over, likely by Wesport, who run several other tennis courts within parks around Bristol.

Westport have done a good job taking over dilapidated, underutilised courts that don’t have active clubs. The story is different at Greville Smyth TC. We’re a self-managed, self-funded community club with almost 500 members, with a long legacy and deep roots in the local community. We don’t believe it’s the right move. And we’re gearing up to fight.

In recent years, Greville Smyth TC’s engagement with the local community, and broader Bristol tennis community, has grown. Through social sessions on and off the court, free walking tennis, new teams in the Avon Tennis league and more, we’ve been working hard to make Greville Smyth an inclusive space to make friends and enjoy tennis. And we’re just getting started; with future plans for Floodlights, toilet facilities, PAYG court bookings, and to expand our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) tennis sessions.

Rest-assured, the committee is working hard behind the scenes and we’ll make sure to keep you updated.

What can you do to help?

There are a few ways you can help right now...

Start conversations We’ve built an excellent community considering we have just 2 courts and a bench, make sure people know about it. Make sure people know what’s happening. Make sure people know the value you and your family have got from GSTC over the years.
Join the club WhatsApp to stay in touch with us, and other members. You can join via this link
Leave us a Google Review The more value the Council can see in GSTC, the harder it will be to justify. Include any pictures, personal GSTC stories or things you like about the club. The longer the review, the better! Leave a review here
Take part in the survey The club is gathering together a case to present to the council. Our ability to show the benefits of a community-led club running the courts will be central to this. Please now take a few minutes to have your say — every response counts and will help us make sure the club continues to be a great place to play, socialise and be part of the community.

📝 It only takes a few minutes to complete the survey

Thanks for your support!

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