Players have first hit on two newly laid indoor tennis courts in Albany Agricultural Society pavilion

Albany’s new indoor tennis courts are officially in use with players getting their first taste of the facility inside the Albany Agricultural Society’s western pavilion last week. OnCourt Tennis owner Vincent Brochard has brought the indoor tennis vision to life, with two full-size courts laid inside the pavilion. Brochard, who has leased the venue from the AAS to help run his tennis business year-round, said it was great to see the facility in operation. “It is much better than what I expected,” Brochard said. “I knew exactly what I wanted to do and had a plan in my mind. “There have been lots of jobs to do and there has been extensive work to get it ready. “The surface is terrific, I’m really happy. “In France there are indoor courts everywhere and that’s where I got the idea from.” Brochard is offering free court hire, with charges to be introduced after Christmas. “I’m running this as a business, I’ll do all my coaching here and court hire and I will also organise indoor tournaments,” he said. “There is lots of new ideas including night-time social tennis. “Throughout winter a good third of my lessons were probably cancelled. The balls are wet so the weather here makes it difficult. “Kids can come in every day now and practice, there is just so much more flexibility.” The courts are fully lit and Brochard has plans to open the venue 24 hours a day to bookings.