Several members of the local tennis community have been recognised in the latest LTA Tennis Awards.

Currently in their sixth year, the awards celebrate the achievements made by outstanding volunteers, coaches, officials, venues and players in Britain.

There are 12 grassroots categories in total, including Young Person of the Year, Development Coach of the Year and Club of the Year.

Albany Lawn Tennis Club stalwart Pat Sharp was the Isle of Man county winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Pat was nominated by Bryan Sharp and David Long - the respective president and chairman of the Ballaughton Meadows-based club - in recognition of the outstanding work that she has done not only at Albany LTC but also for island tennis.

Long paid tribute to her, saying: ’Pat has a rare ability to bring people together and make things happen. She is determined and persistent, vital qualities when it comes to lobbying government, raising money and galvanising support.

’Pat has been at the forefront of tennis development in the Isle of Man for nearly 60 years at Albany, the Isle of Man Sport council and the IoM Lawn Tennis Association.

’But the future of tennis, for Pat, was always about the juniors and helping them discover a lifetime of enjoyment in tennis both on and off the court - a legacy she can be extremely proud of.’

Brian Walton picked up the Volunteer of the Year Award. The IoMLTA chairman was nominated by Ramsey Tennis Club chairman Richard Simpson who praised him by saying: ’Brian’s primary strengths are his ability to listen, understand and tailor a fair and equitable solution.

’Brian must do a huge amount of background reading as at nearly all the meetings he will raise specific queries in relation to matters that are not his particular responsibility, most noticeably on the ever-evolving safeguarding rules.’

Sean Dewry was one of two winners in the Coach of the Year - Development category. The 22-year-old from Ramsey TC was nominated by Isle of Man LTA tennis development officer Rob Comber.

The latter commented: ’Sean is a very positive person which is very infectious to all that he has contact with, his professionalism and enthusiasm is second to none.

’He has supported the development of tennis on the island with helping deliver the Manx Youth Games sessions, the Zurich Junior Tennis Programme which is a project that brings tennis into the school curriculum so that all 6-7 year old children can experience playing the fun game of tennis.’

Castletown LTC’s Neil Ronan was also a winner in the Coach of the Year - Development category, having been nominated by his club chairman Chris Butler who said: ’Neil, despite the challenges 2020 brought us, has delivered a full programme of coaching not only at club level but also at Isle of Man level where he organised the annual vets tournament in such a cut down season.’

Pat, Brian, Sean and Neil are part of more than 2,000 award nominations submitted across Britain and, along with all other county LTA Tennis Award winners, they will now be considered for a regional award.