Last month we wrote about the #TennisForKids initiative which was set up by the LTA on the back of the Aegon GB Davis Cup Team’s historic win last November. The LTA is passionate about growing the game, investing in grass roots tennis and encouraging as many children as possible give the game a go – the #TennisForKids initiative being just one of the ways they’re doing it.
Focused on getting children and families involved with tennis, the #TennisForKids campaign is specifically designed to provide kids (aged 5-8) who are interested in tennis with the opportunity to take lessons. On offer is a free 6 week course with a qualified LTA coach with a free tennis racket at the end of the course for those that attended regularly.
POD tried tennis for the first time a year ago while on a Mark Warner holiday but she’s not had the opportunity to give it another go since. Her #TennisForKids lessons took place every Friday at Onslow Tennis Club near Guildford with an excellent LTA coach called Paul. There are three things you should know about Paul – he’s knowledgable about all things tennis, he’s a great coach and he has the patience of a saint which I guess you have to when you’re teaching kids!
Each #TennisForKids lesson was 45 minutes in length ensuring there was a strong focus on learning and having fun. With techniques focused on skills such as agility, balance and co-ordination, the children were encouraged to work together in pairs or as a team in drills. It’s been a relaxed but structured environment and you can certainly see week by week how they’ve all improved.
The skills they’ve learnt have included throwing and catching. POD has traditionally been a good thrower, albeit of the over arm variety, so it’s taken her a little while to master this new throwing technique and get to grips with catching. She’s improving all the time though and there’s some nice footage showing her joy when she caught a ball twice in a row!
Holding the racket was an interesting one for POD as she’s left handed and initially started with the racket in her right hand. Over time however she’s become more comfortable with it in her left and she does enjoy swinging for the ball even if she doesn’t always reach it.
The #TennisForKids initiative has provided a great introduction to a number of different positions too – like the warrior (or ready) position. The children have learnt how to react to different scenarios on court too and you can see how POD’s ball control has improved as a result. They’ve even been taught how to master different strokes – from backhand and forehand (or ‘fry hand’ as POD calls it) to volleying and serving. After practising the strokes in teams, there’s been time at the net every week so the children could put into practice what they’ve learnt.
Tennis For Kids has provided POD with a superb introduction to tennis. It’s a great way to make tennis accessible to kids with a strong focus on learning while having fun. And when the course finished she was lucky enough to receive a her first racket – and very pleased with it she is too!
We made a short film which summarises a little of what the kids got up to over the past six weeks. There are a few #TennisForKids courses remaining – Onslow Village Tennis Club for example starts another one on the 10th June. Do make sure you sign up for the Great British Tennis Weekend as there are thousands of free events taking place throughout the summer and all across the country with tennis sessions to suit both adults and children. We had loads of fun at the last British Tennis Weekend in May, check out this post to read more.
Disclaimer: This post is part of the #TennisForKids campaign with BritMums, sponsored by the Lawn Tennis Association in partnership with Highland Spring. Sign up now to be part of Great British Tennis Weekend, which will open up even more free courts for families across the UK in July.
I really think this is a wonderful programme. Not only does it keep the kids active they are also learning a new skill too! Brilliant.
Ooh great photo montage there! Doesn’t tennis look like such a glam sport?! I was interested in how playing has helped POD’s co-ordination, being a southpaw. She’s be multi-dexterous after these lessons!
I used to love playing tennis at school! Would be great if the kids got into it. Will have to see if there are any classes around here
Great photos and what a brilliant initiative My two would love some tennis lessons – it would be such fun.
I LOVE that POD had such a great time, but with you two tennis fans as parents it would happen! My boys are tool old for the scheme, but I think it is a brilliant idea. My two took their rackets to France and they played everyday.
Wow, I can’t beleive how Pod is growing so fast, it looks like she is having lots of fun. Mich x
My two are keen on tennis lessons this year as they had so much fun playing at the park last Summer x x
That looks like so much fun. My two have yet to go to a session as the coach was off for his stag weekend, wedding and then we were away. Hopefully this week!
Looks like she had an awesome day! I’ve never got into tennis, I was a hockey girl at school and still to this day do not understand tennis x
I tried getting into the tennis at school but alas I couldn’t
I was gutted we couldn’t get N onto the local course (although he had told me he didn’t want to do 6 weeks of it, only 1!). They were hoping to do a one off session for all the waiting list kids but I’ve not heard anything since.
N has until this week loved his tennis at school and after school club – it’s nice he’s also doing it with different children from his class and the next one who he wouldn’t usually play with. But this week he told me he never wanted to play again. I’m thinking I might have to see if we can join the local club and get some time in over the summer holidays, or see if school will let us use their court in the holidays. We don’t seem to ever be able to make the weekend events they put on either – think we’re destined never to play.
We’re on our second lesson and The Boy is *loving* it, so much so that we went for the usual drop-in session this morning (I was up and out by 10am!!). It is wonderful to see them enjoy such a well-loved game, POD certainly seems to be filled with glee.
I love all your images and the video. Really sums up the fun to be had in these lessons, and all the different skills they children were taught.
POD is adorable as a tennis player! I love your tennis adventures – I hold out great hope for kids embracing the sport this summer!
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