THE head tennis coach at Malvern's Manor Park Sports Club has been given a top award in recognition of nearly 50 years of dedication to the sport.

Jane Poynder has been awarded a lifetime achievement in coaching award at the 2014 British Tennis Awards.

She is the first person ever to be awarded this accolade, which was introduced this year to acknowledge commitment to tennis and tennis coaching.

She has tutored for the Lawn Tennis Association on all qualification levels since 1975 and has been instrumental in the development of many coaches working in British tennis.

She has run a highly successful coaching business for over 30 years, and most recently she has developed a performance and development programme at Manor Park Sports Club in Malvern. She was also chairman of the British Tennis Coaches Association for 10 years.

She said: “It’s excellent that coaches are recognised as well as players. Tennis is a wonderful game for all ages, abilities and standards, it really is a game for life and that’s what we need to be promoting in British tennis. Having coached for nearly 50 years now, I’ve worked with lots of young players who have gone on to play county tennis and with lots of coaches who have gone on to produce great tennis players, so it’s fantastic to be recognised in this way.”

LT A president Cathie Sabin, said: “Huge congratulations to Jane and all the winners of tonight’s prestigious awards. It’s been a tremendous year for tennis in Britain, and people like Jane, with their passion, hard work and dedication, help continue to propel the sport forward.”

Tara McGregor-Woodhams of award sponsors Aegon UK said: “Jane is a well deserving winner of the Aegon Lifetime Achievement in Coaching award. Both as a player and a coach, Jane has been involved with British tennis at the highest level and it’s great that we are able to recognise her with this award.”