A DEDICATED tennis coach from Stourbridge has won an award for his efforts. 

Tony Wright is head coach at Kidderminster Tennis Club, where he has worked with his wife Lisa, who is assistant coach, for the last 13 years.

The couple run sessions for junior and adult players including cardio tennis, adult beginners, walking tennis and junior tennis sessions during the week and on Saturday mornings.

Tony was nominated by parents and players for the Development Coach of the Year 2024 in the County Lawn Tennis Association's LTA Tennis Awards (Herefordshire & Worcestershire) and was thrilled to come away with the title.

Stourbridge News: Tony Wright being presented with the award by H&W LTA President Ian KingTony Wright being presented with the award by H&W LTA President Ian King (Image: Handout)

He will now go through to the regional finals.

Tony, who lives in Lea Vale Road in Norton, Stourbridge, said: "I was nominated alongside 68 other LTA coaches for the award.

"I am thrilled and honoured to receive this award and to be recognised at the highest level from the LTA.

"It's a big thing to win - all the coaches crave it on their CV."

The award is given to a coach who has shown coaching excellence, quality of sessions and who has made an outstanding impact and improvement in all ages of players in the community.

Stourbridge News: Top coach Tony Wright Top coach Tony Wright (Image: Handout)

Tony was presented with his award at an evening in March at Worcester Cricket Club.

Tony also gives individual lessons and has coached a number of Junior players to win LTA Ratings Tournaments for their age groups in the Midlands and beyond.

A number of junior players he has coached have gone on to represent Kidderminster Tennis Club in league matches and their university at team tennis.

Some are also now in the H&W County Squad, representing the county in junior team matches.

He is no stranger to awards as he was named Wyre Forest District Council's sports coach of the year in 2012 and 2015 and was runner up in the LTA's children's tennis coach of the year in 2015.

Kidderminster Tennis Club, Baxter Gardens, Birmingham Road, Kidderminster is holding an open day on Sunday April 21 from 2pm till 4pm.

Anyone can come and try tennis for free.