A Wiltshire tennis coach who helped bring a struggling tennis club back to life has been named in this year's prestigious New Year's Honours list, which recognises extraordinary people across the UK.
Hilda Moore was picked by the King to be awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her leadership and enthusiasm at Marlborough Tennis which has positively impacted the local community.
She first got involved in the Marlborough club at the age of 30, running junior tennis lessons.
After being appointed as chairwoman of the tennis club in 2002, she helped steer Marlborough Tennis towards a new venue and a new start, despite challenges and declining funds.
"The club had planning permission refused at various sites, funds were dwindling, and Marlborough Tennis had to rent courts in the intervening period," said a spokesperson for the club.
"She successfully helped steer the club to its new venue in 2018.
"Hilda’s leadership and enthusiasm enabled the club to think big and move to a new site, obtaining loans and grants for the new six court site. This challenge cannot be understated.
"Her energy saw junior tennis grow to 120 juniors on the programme, recruiting four new coaches. This grew coaching income from zero in 2003 to £12k in 2005 and remained at that level until the club recruited a full-time coach."
Hilda was instrumental in establishing the cross-cutting Marlborough Sports Forum helping run annual events for over 150 children across 12 sports to encourage physical activity.
She was also an early adopter as a ‘She Rallies’ ambassador joining Judy Murray, and started ‘Walking Tennis’ in 2024, working collaboratively with the local U3A.
The inspiring coach now continues to volunteer as a Trustee in a coaching lead role, and has picked up several prestigious awards along the way, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the LTA National Tennis Awards.
However, for Hilda, recognition in the prestigious New Year's Honours list was something she never expected.
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The coach has said she is delighted to get the medal, which will be presented to her by the Lord Lieutenant at a local Wiltshire ceremony ahead of her invite to the Royal Garden Party.
It marks a lifetime of hard work, which started when she first picked up a racket at the age of 10.
Staff at Marlborough Tennis say they couldn't be prouder to see her achievements celebrated once again.
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