Berkhamsted Lawn Tennis and Squash Rackets Club aims to provide its members with the very best in playing facilities and have developed a partnership with Playrite to help them achieve that.

Having first installed Playrite's Matchplay 2 in 2003 it was a natural choice when they came to resurfacing their courts in 2012. Having completed this project, the opportunity arose for Playrite’s Steve Byrnes to work alongside Hugo Allen of Berkhamstead to install the first ever Matchclay court in the UK. This surface represents the next generation of artificial clay surfaces and gives Berkhamsted Elite Tennis Academy players an excellent surface to train and play on.


Playrite's Matchclay is a unique structured needlepunch tennis surface, for use with natural clay infill. This durable tennis surface gives consistent ball bounce and trajectory whilst the in-built cushion layer reduces fatigue. Matchclay provides a playing experience almost identical to a natural clay court but without the high maintenance requirements and is relatively quick and low cost to install. It provides increased playing time throughout the year, is far less prone to frost than real clay and is a free draining construction so doesn’'t hold water.

Hugo Allen, of Berkhamstead Lawn Tennis and Squash Rackets Club describes how the players are reaping the benefits. "Although the court has only been in for 9 months the surface has settled and our players

now have an excellent surface making for a great playing experience."

Mr Allen, has also been impressed with the relationship that he has built up with Playrite: "When working on a new and ambitious surface it is natural that some complications will arise, however, Playrite have impressed with their commitment to achieving the perfect end result. The club now has playing facilities of the very highest standards."

www.playrite.co.uk