Ospreys star backs campaign to save Swansea Tennis Centre
BIG-HITTING Ospreys rugby star Filo Tiatia has thrown his weight behind the campaign to save Swansea Tennis Centre.
Swansea Council wants to to stop running the facility, saving the taxpayer £2 million over the next decade.
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Ospreys star Filo Tiatia backs campaign to save Swansea Tennis Centre
But campaigners have criticised the plan saying it would drive up costs for players, who would be forced to join expensive "private" clubs, as well as hamper the progress of promising Welsh internationals.
Hundreds have since backed the anti-closure campaign — including 6ft 4in flanker Tiatia, whose two daughters Italia, aged nine, and Mattisse, aged eight, both use the centre.
The New-Zealand born star paid a visit to the centre today to publicly declare his support to keeping it open.
He said: "I'm not speaking as an Ospreys player on this, but as a parent.
"There are some great coaches here and a good atmosphere too.
"In terms of developing and coaching young children, the tennis centre is first class.
"With the problems of childhood obesity and keeping children off the streets, closing this centre will affect these issues.
"And it would take a valuable asset away from Swansea."
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley said a decision on the tennis centre's future would be made at Full Council next Monday.
"I believe we have no other option," he said.
"What people have to realise is there simply is not enough funding for everyone. We have to make choices, no matter how tough they are.
"It's all fine and good for people from outside of Swansea to say it should be kept open. People can shout and scream all they like. But we can no longer afford it.
ben.wright@swwmedia.co.uk
In tomorrow's Evening Post: Welsh ladies number one, 18-year-old Francesca Lewis, and nine-year-old wonderkid Nishaanth Dalavaye make their case for keeping the tennis centre open.
Related articles:
Swansea Council denies tennis centre sale as closure protest grows
What you're saying about the battle to save the tennis centre
8 Comments
by carol, Swansea
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 5:53PM
“It is NOT the sporting facilities YOU should be getting rid of...
YOU tell us we and our children are obese.......
Yet want to take sporting facilities away from us...Look what you lost on LC....
..”
by grandit adsee, swansea
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 5:23PM
“Doubles match between Chris Holley & Graham Thomas. Against Bill & Ben the flower potmen-- 1st Game. 1st Set.
Holley to serve--Love--15--Holey's comments that Bl---y I.T company has cost us £85 million and they still want another £8 Million.
Love--30. Thomas's comments-- Don't worry Chris i am sure the L.C will make a profit.
Love --40. Holley's comments-- Well Graham i certainly sorted those 32 councillors out who dared to defy me it only cost about £200,000 and its only these local-tax-payers money.
1st set to the flower -potmen. Holley's comments what are those to grinning idiots laughing at . Thomas's comments don't get in a sweat Chris we sort those two out we just close the primeses down and save £50,000 a year help pay our expenses. Anyway the net is to bl---y high.”
by Virginia Lade, Not for sale Old Courts in De La Beche
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 2:51PM
“Dear,Dear Hollysylvania of Belvedere gone to the Bat room for inspiration.Time this useless Administration listened to the people of Swansea.Instead of wasting their money and assets like they have just won Wimbledon..or a wannabee wish to impersonate the Risdale football club further up the M4.
15-0 Swansea Bay consultation --£70k wallet fault-IGNORED never remotely implemented.
30-0 --IT scheme --£8 million wallet cord.-TOLD it was a disaster.
40-0 Sail,Traflagar Bridges must return £1/2 million to WAG ,and wasted £300,000 puting a Bridge on the Prom.
set point.
Game --LIB DEM and assorted
ball boys and ball girls packed off to SWANSEA TENNIS CENTRE for integrity,competence and skill training..
2nd set cancelled as NO one left to UMPIRE until 2012...”
by Peter, Swansea
Tuesday, February 16 2010, 9:39PM
“The so-called saving of £ 50,000 overhead a year is a smokescreen and a drop in the ocean compared to the millions that the Council have leaked. A saving of £ 50,000 a year is addressing nothing. There is definitely a hidden agenda involved.
With a reorganisation of the Centre staffing and enlightened marketing and proper management of the indoor tennis centre it could easily be brought into profit, so I doubt that anyone sensible buys the reasons that the Council have put forward for closure.
They are consigning tennis in Swansea to a summer sport.”
by Richard, Swindon
Tuesday, February 16 2010, 7:25PM
“I'm sure none of us will make an arguement sufficient enough to make Chris Holley forget the value of the Tennis Centre land...”
by Mike, Swansea
Tuesday, February 16 2010, 6:45PM
“There are several indoor swimming pools in Swansea but only one indoor tennis facility. Close one of the pools instead (they cost more than the tennis centre anyway). If the council members think tennis is an elitist minority sport then they are wrong. Swansea is Wales second city, Where is the ambition? In the youngsters (and oldies) who play at the tennis centre that's where - not in the council chamber!”
by dai evans, swansea
Tuesday, February 16 2010, 6:31PM
“The best K/O, that can be delivered to Holley is to use a vote a "NO Confidence" in this useless dictator, who has done nothing of any use to our City and the facilities we once had. How many £Millions of Swansea finances has, he and his inept cabinet wasted and continue to waste over the 6 Years he has been in power.”
by john, swansea
Tuesday, February 16 2010, 6:18PM
“Big hitting osprey rugby star Filo Tiatia,"Holley" Big hitting right hook or just a simple upper cut would do!”