The Tennis For Kids Programme and a Growing Love for Tennis | AD

I wrote a little while ago about how Ava was going to be starting tennis sessions with the free tennis for kids programme this summer.

Well, she has now been doing them for a few weeks now, and she’s really enjoying it! So much so we might be carrying them on and paying for lessons for her after they have finished in a couple of weeks!

Tennis was something that I grew up not being very fond of, mainly due to not being any good at it, and never getting the help I needed to improve. I only really ‘played’ tennis in the odd P.E lesson at school, and with a big class there wasn’t much chance to learn to play properly. So I’m really pleased that Ava is getting a great introduction to tennis via the Tennis For Kids initiative, that we can then hopefully nurture and continue as she grows up.

The classes are made up of a relatively small group of children, with one main teacher, and an assistant, which means each of the children get plenty of help and support throughout the session. They have moved on at a great pace from week to week, and I have loved watching Ava going from holding her racket in the wrong hand, to volleying really well and wanting to improve more and more, and making new friends.

Last year, the LTA coached nearly 14,000 children through the initiative, and this year, the sessions have been even more popular, with over 20,000 children signing up for the free sessions for 5-8 year olds. The sessions have taken place all over the country with aims of helping children and families to discover what a great family sport it can be.

Next week it is Ava’s last free #TennisForKids session and she’ll be given her own racket to keep, which she is so excited about! She’s already been talking to her Dad about them going to play tennis together sometimes, and I love that these free sessions have started her off getting into the sport. She’s really enjoying learning how to play and I love watching her.

Most of the sessions have either already taken place, or are full up already, but if you’re interested in your child attending then you can join some waiting lists on the ClubSpark website here.

Disclosure: I’m working with the Lawn Tennis Association and BritMums in a paid relationship, showcasing the FREE tennis sessions for children you can take up at your local club. The Tennis For Kids programme filled up quickly in 2017, but the LTA has since released limited additional courses so check https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/tennisforkids for places at your local club. There are plenty of other great ways to get involved in tennis over this summer. Great British Tennis Weekend will be back on the 22nd and 23rd of July.