GRASS-roots preparation has literally begun in earnest as Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club (ILTSC) prepares to stage Yorkshire's most important tournaments.

The inaugural Aegon Ilkley Trophy from June 13-21 – the newest addition to the Men's ATP Challenger and Women's ITF Pro Circuit Tours – will be part of the run-up to Wimbledon and will attract world-class players from across the globe.

And the scenic 135-year-old club, the only venue in the region with the quality of grass courts and level of facilities, both indoor and out, required to host a competition of this size and scale, are doing everything they can to deliver a superb experience for spectators.

The management team at the club have been working alongside the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) since the autumn on a programme of enhancements to ensure that the 14 grass courts are in tip-top condition.

Head groundsman Richard Lord and his team will continue to cultivate the grounds until the championship takes place.

Charlie Maunder, ILTSC's general manager, said: "We are supremely proud of the standard of our grass courts, and over the week of the Aegon Ilkley Trophy our grounds will host over 100 matches by some of the best players in the world, as well as the next generation of tennis stars.

"We look forward to welcoming local people, visitors and players to join us and our team of volunteers to what we believe will be the friendliest tournament of 2015."

Richard Joyner, tournament director for the LTA, added: "2015 is the first year when there will be three weeks, instead of two, between the French Open and Wimbledon, and it is fantastic that we have this opportunity to stage the Trophy in Ilkley – the first new venue for Challenger grass-court tennis in the UK for several years.

"Together with Ilkley Tennis Club, the LTA has been sowing the seeds for many months for what is now shaping up to be a must-attend event on the grass-court circuit."

ILTSC are enlisting the help of volunteers from within the club itself, other tennis clubs across Yorkshire and the local community, who will be on hand as official 'friends' to ensure the smooth running of the $50,000 events.

Tickets for the Aegon Ilkley Trophy will go on sale next month.