GB Davis Cup captain trains local coaches for free Tennis for Kids

GB Davis Cup captain Leon Smith helped lead local coaches at the Tennis for Kids Coach Training Day at Exeter Tennis Centre last week.

Back for a second year following a successful roll out in 2016, Tennis for Kids is a national initiative devised by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to get 20,000 children aged 5 to 8 playing tennis for the first time and, best of all, for free.

Around 40 coaches gathered at Exeter Tennis Centre to be put through their paces in the on-court training session and to pick up resources to help them manage their Tennis for Kids courses.

One of the coaches to attend the training day was James Temple, Rackets Manager at Exeter Golf and Country Club, who said afterwards: “Tennis for Kids is a fantastic initiative by the LTA that will continue to build on the recent successes in British Tennis and help to develop a new generation of players. Getting more children involved is crucial to the future of the sport and it’s great to see the campaign supported by Leon Smith. Along with our club coaches Tim Agutter and Emily Rushen, I’m really looking forward to building on last year’s course and introducing 60 new players to tennis for free.”

Simon Johnson, LTA Head of Region, added: “It’s fantastic to see Tennis for Kids back for another year and it’s going to be even bigger and better than ever. In 2016 we exceeded our expectations by giving over 13,000 children access to free tennis sessions and, with the help of our specially trained, passionate coaches, we’re aiming to get 20,000 kids to fall in love with tennis this summer. I’d urge parents to sign their children up as quickly as possible!”

After completing the six week course, the children will receive a free tennis racket and a follow-on offer from their venue to inspire them to keep playing tennis.

Tennis for Kids courses will get underway in April at tennis venues across Devon.

Information about courses will be available at https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/tennisforkids or contact your local venue to see if it is taking part.