New operator to run three Kettering-area tennis sites under 15-year deal
North Northamptonshire Council has awarded a 15-year contract to Advantage Sports Group CIC to manage and develop tennis provision at three sites that serve Kettering and neighbouring communities. The move, confirmed after a competitive tender process, covers courts at Regent Road, Burton Latimer, North Park and Ise Valley.
The council said the appointment follows an "extensive review" of its tennis provision which identified scope to improve long-term access and use of the park courts. Under the new arrangement, Advantage Sports Group will lead refurbishment works and introduce a package of measures intended to make the sport more accessible and sustainable.
What changes residents can expect
Planned improvements include:
- Free community tennis opportunities aimed at widening participation
- Expanded coaching programmes for children, families and adults
- A modern online booking system to simplify court access
- Dedicated sessions for people with additional needs and pathways into coaching and volunteering
North Northamptonshire Council said the initial refurbishment work will begin at the Regent Road courts in Burton Latimer, with North Park and Ise Valley in Kettering joining the programme following subsequent works. The authority also hopes the partnership will create stronger links with local schools and clubs.
"This is fantastic news for tennis players and residents across North Northamptonshire," said Cllr Brian Benneyworth, the council's executive member for housing, public health and leisure. "This partnership will help secure the long-term future of our park tennis courts while making it easier than ever for people to get involved in the sport."
Simon Gallo, director at Advantage Sports Group, described the appointment as an "incredibly exciting opportunity to breathe new life into these important community facilities and create a welcoming, affordable and inclusive tennis programme for residents of all ages and abilitie" — a statement reflecting the organisation's community-focused aims.
Local consequences and community context
For many in Kettering and the surrounding towns, park courts provide low-cost access to sport. The council's review suggested that without intervention, ageing facilities could fail to meet demand or fall into disuse. Securing a single operator for the three sites under a long-term contract aims to improve maintenance standards, deliver consistent programming and encourage sustained local engagement.
Residents seeking to use the facilities should expect phased changes rather than an immediate overhaul. With Regent Road earmarked for the first upgrades, players who use North Park and Ise Valley may see temporary disruption while refurbishment plans are finalised and delivered.
| Site | Planned action |
|---|---|
| Regent Road, Burton Latimer | First phase refurbishment; new booking system launch |
| North Park, Kettering | Refurbishment following Regent Road |
| Ise Valley, Kettering | Refurbishment following Regent Road |
Key practical details confirmed so far are the 15-year management term and the focus on affordability and inclusion. The council and Advantage Sports Group have said they will work with local schools, clubs and other partners to roll out coaching and volunteering pathways, though specific timetables and costs for court hire have not yet been published.
For Kettering residents who use these public courts, the contract represents both opportunity and uncertainty: the prospect of modernised facilities and broader programmes, and a period of change while work is carried out. The council has presented the partnership as a way to safeguard community amenities that might otherwise struggle to be maintained at current standards.
Further information, including details of when the online booking system will become available and how free community sessions will operate, is expected from North Northamptonshire Council and Advantage Sports Group as refurbishment plans are finalised.
