Last year I was very keen to sign my son up to the Lawn Tennis Association's #TennisForKids campaign in its inaugural year. He was fortunate to have one of the 10,000 spaces available throughout the UK and received six free sessions learning some basic skills and having a brilliant time. At the end of the six sessions, he was able to take home the racket that he'd been learning with in order to continue to play. The campaign was a roaring success for us, free taster sessions and a free racket to see if tennis was 'his thing'.
It turned out that tennis was very much to his taste as he continued playing tennis after the sessions ended in June, attending the Saturday morning sessions until the end of November and even going on some Summer camp days during the holidays. We've recently signed him up as a junior member of our local LTA club and he starts proper lessons in the first week back after the Easter holidays; those six free sessions have really started him off with a passion for the sport.
Not only is he developing his physical fitness in a fun way, but the sociability that comes from playing tennis is one that I hadn't imagined before. During the sessions the children were all very friendly with each other, and I found myself chatting to a lot of the parents as well. It transpires that many of his classmates are members of the tennis club and he is able to develop friendships outside of school that wouldn't necessarily be nurtured in the educational setting.
Tennis is giving him more than I thought possible!
The LTA recently contacted us and asked if my son would like to share his experiences of playing tennis in a short video, I think he explains the reason he loves the sport far more than I can!
There are 20,000 spaces available throughout the UK for children aged 5-8 years old. Sign up opened on the 4th April and lessons start soon so pop over the LTA site, type in your postcode and search for nearby lessons.
I have to share some of the 'behind the scenes' photos, it makes me chuckle to see all that filming and sound equipment used to record my little boy sat reading Harry Potter and cuddling Oliver Monkey!
I’m working with the Lawn Tennis Association and BritMums in a paid relationship, highlighting the #TennisforKids programme and the FREE tennis lessons for children available at local tennis clubs across the UK. Find out more here.
Aww I love the 'behind the scenes' filming shot of your son talking to the camera! It's wonderful how his love of the sport has grown from last year to actually becoming a junior member of the tennis club.
The whole experience of this campaign has been wonderful for him, it's really helped him grow his confidence and self-esteem. I had no idea what he had actually said on camera, as I was hiding in the clubhouse away, but I'm so proud of him.
I am so glad I read this as A has been desperate to play tennis and I have signed her up for a course and she is so excited about going. What a brilliant campaign, I think it is such a great way to encourage kids to try something new without the big financial commitment.
I couldn't agree more, it's a wonderful opportunity for them to experience a new sport with quality coaching. I hope she loves it as much as my son has.
Love the video, you have a natural little star on line.
Thanks Fiona, I had no idea what he'd said so I'm really impressed with how confident he was.
the video is fab! What a great initiative to be involved with 🙂
Aww… Well done Jack! He wasn't camera shy at all and he is really good at tennis too! That's exactly how Ethan felt when he hit the ball. Ethan's first lesson is tomorrow and he can't wait!
Great video! Helen also got a great deal out of her lessons and we were also asked to be in a video. Helen loved the experience and we're looking forward to playing lots of tennis over the next few months.
I love this video! I'm glad it's given him confidence as well – hopefully these courses from the LTA will do the same for lots more children!
It's really encouraging to see he continued with Tennis! My son starts in a couple of weeks, he is very excited – I really hope he falls in love with it too and continues. It's such a great sport.
Great video. 🙂