Community Tennis Coach reaches out to young tennis stars

12 December 2007

Year 3 pupils from Darrick Wood, Crofton and Tubbenden Junior Schools are receiving free tennis coaching at school through Bromley Mytime. More than 200 pupils have been introduced to the game, taught basic skills and given the opportunity to develop their technique, some never having played before.

From this, a talent identification programme took place to select children showing the most aptitude for tennis to attend weekly lessons at Bromley Tennis Centre, Orpington.

Amy Thompson, aged 8, from Tubbenden Junior School is one of the pupils benefiting from the scheme. ”Amy’s tennis has progressed over the weeks and most importantly she is thoroughly enjoying the sessions” said Amy’s mum.

The squad, now in their second term of lessons, is still going strong. Players have progressed from basic forehand, serve, backhand and volleys to rallying competently on mini tennis courts playing fun, scoring matches. Community Tennis Coach, Simon Bradshaw ,said ”The squad has improved considerably since first working with them at each school. It’s great to see so many children have continued and are still really enjoying tennis. I hope they keep going.”

Bromley Tennis Centre offers a comprehensive structured coaching programme for players of all abilities and ages and Bromley Mytime’s Community Tennis Coach scheme has been facilitating new delivery in schools, improving collaboration with the School Sports Partnership to encourage the school age population to become more physically active.

For more information on tennis opportunities please contact Louise O’Callaghan on 0208 323 1708 or Bromley Tennis Centre on 01689 880 407 or go to our Tennis page