CROWTHORNE Tennis Club members will take on Great Britain internationals next month as part of the fifth Forte Village 24-Hour Marathon at the national tennis centre in Roehampton.

Eight players including Crowthorne’s mens’ singles champion, James Brennan, will step on court for a four-hour session starting at 8am on Sunday, February 18.

They will take on former Davis Cup player Danny Sapsford and Commonwealth gold medallist and Fed Cup player Jocelyn Rae, who will be playing continuously for 24 hours.

Crowthorne Tennis Club, whose four floodlit courts host club sessions and Berkshire league competitions all year round, is using the event to raise money for a new clubhouse to benefit its 130 junior and senior members.

Club chairman Richard McCully said: “We are delighted to be a part of such a special event. Most importantly the fundraising will help us to create a superb new facility to enhance a great family tennis club, which we hope will attract more beginners to join us to try the sport and increase the number of competitive players enjoying our courts.”

Crowthorne is one of 12 tennis clubs taking part in the 24-hour marathon along with others from as far afield as Cheshire, Worcestershire and Leicestershire.

A player from each team, including Crowthorne’s Tina Stern, will also enjoy a sky dive experience from the North London Skydiving Centre as part of the fundraising activity.

To support Crowthorne Tennis Club’s fundraising venture go to www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/crowthornetennisclub.

To find out more about the club and the chance to enjoy three free visits as part of their trial offer go to www.crowthornetennisclub.co.uk.