A $10,000 VicHealth grant will help the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club nurture youngsters keen to follow the lead of Wimbledon champ Ash Barty.

The Reimagining Health grant was one of a number recently allocated to Wangaratta district groups to support the community in reconnecting and improving their health and wellbeing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, through a program with a particular focus on young people.

The Merriwa Park-based tennis club plans to use the grant to renovate a court facing parkland to provide a Hotshots/pickleball facility which can be used by children and young adults.

Hotshots is an introductory program for children which teaches tennis skills to suit their age and ability, and provides a great social outlet, while pickleball (which combines elements of tennis, table tennis and badminton) is increasing in popularity in Wangaratta.

Work on the new court will be completed over the next 12 months in a project involving the WLTC, Wangaratta Pickleball Association, Rural City of Wangaratta and VicHealth.

It will see surface renovation on the court, and nets provided for both sports, further enhancing the overall Merriwa Park precinct for both the community and visitors to the area, and providing another sporting facility for local groups and schools.