East Glos scoops five LTA county awards
The LTA Awards, presented by Lexus, shine a light on the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and organisations across Great Britain.
At county level, Gloucestershire Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) has announced its 2026 award winners. We’re delighted to report that East Glos has scooped five awards.
Club president, John King, said: “I am very proud of all the individual recipients, and also our whole staff team and volunteers who have contributed to our club’s successes. I’m sure you will join me in congratulating them and celebrating our awards.
Large Club of the Year: East Glos Club
This was awarded for outstanding growth, innovation, and contributions to the community impact of Gloucestershire tennis and padel.
It’s a reflection of the tremendous work done by club manager Darren and his team, as well as by our many volunteers on the board and committees.
The award follows our very successful 2025 which included:
- Significant membership growth.
- Improved systems for members, visitors and administration.
- Four new padel courts.
- Inclusive walking tennis and wheelchair tennis.
- Schools and community coaching sessions.
- The first club in the county to receive the LTA Youth Recognised Venue Award.
- An expanded coaching programme.
- County and national event hosting.
- Supporting the local community and charities.
Gloucestershire Tennis President’s Award: Andrea Butland
This is a really well-deserved award for Andrea, recognising her significant volunteer contributions to East Glos and the GLTA over many years.
In particular, her current six-year tenure as our superb club chair has involved using her presentation, calming, and influencing skills to successfully lead the board, committees, and staff.
This has included:
- Challenging lockdown closures in 2020 and 2021.
- Several clubhouse developments.
- The installation of new padel courts.
- The introduction of single rackets membership.
- The integration of different sports sections.
- Major growth in member numbers.
- And not forgetting her previous extended period on the East Glos tennis committee and her term as safeguarding lead for the club and the GLTA. A truly magnificent contribution.
Protect Where We Play (Sustainability): East Glos Club
This has been awarded in recognition of our excellent sustainability progress over several years. It’s a reflection of the tremendous work done by Darren and his team, as well as our sustainability working group.
The highlights are:
- Being part of the local authority’s ambition to be net zero by 2030.
- Monitoring and reducing carbon emissions.
- LED floodlights on seven courts with plans to convert four more in 2026.
- LED lighting in the clubhouse.
- Recycling initiatives including tennis and padel balls.
- New EV chargers installed.
- Biodiversity – planters and wild flowers.
- Various initiatives taken by our grounds team.
- Encouraging cycling.
- Hosting a sustainability forum bringing together local businesses and acting as a case study.
Performance Coach of the Year: Mark Lunn
This has been awarded to Mark, a level 4 senior performance coach, for his dedication to Gloucestershire and East Glos tennis for more than a decade.
He is committed to nurturing talent, developing players of all ages, and raising the standard of performance across the county.
He achieves this through technical excellence, tireless energy, and enthusiasm, and the ability to inspire, whether in training sessions, competitions, or county events.
Mark has successfully guided individual young players to regional and national levels. He also plays a vital role in team development, captaining Gloucestershire county teams across multiple age groups, including 10U, 11U, 12U, and 14U.
Official of the Year: Simon Corbishley
This has been awarded to Simon, who has been involved in officiating in Gloucestershire and beyond for over ten years.
As well as being an LTA licensed official, he is a level 5 tennis and level 2 padel coach and padel manager at East Glos.
Apart from his technical excellence, he succeeds because of his friendly, knowledgeable, organised, calm, respectful, inclusive and trusting approach.
He officiates at several competitions throughout the year, including the Gloucestershire County Championships, the Cheltenham Open, and the East Glos Club Championships.
He has also worked on the LTA U14 Grade 1 Nationals competition control desk. Simon is quite unique in that he officiates and coaches in both tennis and padel.