A tennis coach who revived a near-derelict court in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic has been recognised for his sporting work in the community.

Conrad Brunner renovated the dilapidated tennis courts in St Ann’s Well Gardens in Hove and used the courts as a base to revive the St Ann’s Tennis club.

Now, just over two years after the club was formed, Brunner has been given an award by the Sussex Lawn Tennis Association.

Conrad, who won the Connecting Communities award, said: “I am really speechless about winning an award.

“We have really worked hard to ensure that St Ann’s Tennis is an open, inclusive sports facility which anyone and everyone can enjoy. “We're not a private club – anyone can book a court – and we give local tennis players a huge amount of encouragement.”

The Argus: Conrad, centre, with other coaches from the tennis clubConrad, centre, with other coaches from the tennis club (Image: Neil Stoddart)

Alongside his own award, the club also received the park venue of the year award at the awards ceremony at the Amex Stadium in Brighton.

St Ann’s Tennis club now boasts more than 300 members and 3,500 registered players with courts being used over 80 per cent of the time in the summer months.

The club also hosts weekly disability tennis courses at the courts to support adults with learning disabilities and autism, which Conrad is assistant coach for.

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He is also known for introducing tennis to young players in Whitehawk as well as a new young players course in Shoreham.

St Ann’s Tennis club head coach Jimmy Smith said: “What Conrad has achieved at St Ann’s is incredible and he is also involved in so many other tennis activities around the city.

The Argus: St Ann Well Tennis courtsSt Ann Well Tennis courts (Image: NQ Staff)

We are absolutely thrilled that St Ann’s Tennis has won an award and that Conrad has too. All the hard work that has gone into making St Ann’s Tennis just a success has been recognised with these prestigious awards.”

The club will now be entering teams into the Brighton and Hove Parks League in the summer. St Ann’s won the Division four trophy last season.