THE days are getting longer, the strawberries are ripening, and hopefully the sun is shining a little bit more than it normally does.

Which can only mean one thing - it's time for tennis.

But while some remain just armchair fans of the sport there's an increasing army of actual players starting to take to the courts.

Inspired by the likes of Andy Murray and Johanna Konta, the next generation of tennis stars are picking up their rackets and making their first smashes in the sport.

And that's where people like Tom Perry come in.

With continuing reports of the lack of good talent coming through, as head coach at The Colchester Officers' Club, his position at the vanguard of grassroots tennis couldn't be more important.

Born and brought up in Beaumont, near Frinton, his love of the sport began at the age of 13 when he discovered a tennis court a few doors down from where he lived.

"Like most kids I pretty much played everything at school," he smiles. "It was only when my dad and I started to go to use the tennis court that I started to really get into the sport."

Eventually he joined Frinton Tennis Club, which meant 'a 20 mile round trip on my bike' just so he could play.

"I liked the fact it was just you on the court," he adds. "You can't blame anyone else for your performance, if you do badly, it's down to you. I liked competing, I still do, but it was also the continual practicing to get better, improving my game."

A passion he's now passing on as a Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) accredited Level 4 Senior Performance Coach.

After competing at a junior level in county and regional tournaments, Tom decided to continue his passion for the game as a coach.

"I started at the age of 17," he tells me, "and my first job was with a guy called Simon Harper in Ipswich who was responsible for a lot of the Suffolk county players."

Since then Tom has coached in schools, at county and national levels, in the UK and abroad.

He joined Colchester two years ago after working at New Hall School where he taught county and national players.

At Colchester he runs individual and group coaching sessions for both adults and children.

"I would say we probably have about 150 young players in our weekly junior programme," he says. "I have a great team helping me in Matt Pearce, who in the past won several 18 and under national tournaments, alongside Olivia Moreira and Alex Devereaux.

"We have a broad range of players from those who just enjoy playing to those who are doing very well competitively.

"It's exciting for me to see my young players progress and while I still enjoy playing tennis, I get a much bigger thrill from watching one of my young players do well in a match.

"I couldn't say whether we have the next Andy Murray or Johanna Konta in our midst but we might. You just don't know how good they're going to get or who might turn up at the next session.

"Our biggest problem is just getting people to come along and try the sport out. It does have a bit of an elitist reputation but that's not the case at all. I don't come from a family that had a lot of money and I know plenty of other professional tennis players like that as well. It really is a sport for anyone and everyone."

And don't let the club's name fool you either because while The Colchester Officers Club in the past was very much the remit of the British Army officer, today it is very much open to all.

Like British tennis it even has its own phoenix from the ashes kind of story - literally.

Originally acquired by the War Office in the mid-19th century, the club was founded in 1887.

Initially known as the Abbey Garden Club it provided tennis and social facilities for Garrison officers and families but as the years went on membership was gradually extended to civilians.

In 2001 the Army relinquished control and by 2010 club members had bought the freehold to site, only for the clubhouse to be destroyed by fire soon after.

Through fundraising and hard work, the new Colchester Officers Club was opened in July 2013 and it has been going from strength to strength ever since.

Next weekend the club is welcoming visitors to take a tour of the sports and social facilities

Taking place over both Saturday and Sunday, May 20 to 21, from 10am to 4pm, as well as a chance to checkout the tennis and squash courts, snooker and bridge rooms, and restaurant and bar, Tom will be on hand to offer free coaching and tips to adults and children, from complete newcomers to those looking to improve their game.

Tom says: “With Wimbledon coming up, demand for tennis lessons will begin to increase so this open weekend is a good way to try the game for free.

"The club has changed quite a bit even in the two years that I've been here with junior matches most weekends running alongside the adult club matches.

"We're also a part of the LTA Great British Tennis Weekend. That's coming up on July 22 and 23 and that's a good time to come along too as they'll be free coaching sessions on offer."

Located on St John's Green through the historic 15th century former St John's Abbey Gatehouse, and with free parking on site, for more information on the club go to www.cgoclub.co.uk

To find out more about grassroots tennis, coaching and where to play near you - go to www.lta.org.uk