Albany Lawn Tennis Club stalwart Pat Sharp has been named as a regional winner and subsequently forwarded into a national shortlist of seven for a major Lawn Tennis Association award.

She is the North of England nominee for the national Lifetime Achievement Award, alongside six others representing Central and East, London and South East, Wales, South and South West, Midlands and Scotland.

There are 16 categories in total, including those for the leading male and female players in the country, the individual winners of which will be announced in an online awards ceremony on the LTA’s YouTube channel to be streamed on Thursday, June 24 at 8pm.

Pat will receive her regional award in the coming weeks in recognition of her devotion to the sport over the past half-century and more.

She and her husband Bryan moved to the island in the early 1960s and were among a small group of Albany members that worked hard over the next 10 years to re-establish the club and purchase land at Ballaughton on the outskirts of Douglas.

The facility quickly had three outdoor courts, but now also boasts an indoor facility for all-year round use and one of the best sporting clubhouses in the island.

’I’m absolutely delighted for Pat that she has won this regional award,’ said Isle of Man Lawn Tennis Association chairman Brian Walton.

’It is thoroughly deserved after her lifetime of volunteer commitment to tennis in a number of capacities over so many years.

’We all wish her the very best of luck in the national finals later next month.’

Albany LTC chairman David Long said: ’Truly delighted to see this. Richly deserved after 58 years of service to Isle of Man Tennis and IoM Sport in general.

’A racket was first put in the hand of most of the island’s tennis players by Pat Sharp!

’What an achievement.’