There are in the UK:

  • 9,000,000 children in school
  • 1,000,000 young people in further education colleges
  • 2,000,000 students in universities

So there are tremendous opportunities to grow and promote coaching programmes and club membership numbers.

To help Clubs the LTA has produced a range of guides and other resources, under their LTA Youth brand,  to help build relationships and deliver tennis.

Please look at the following links for more information:

Across Avon many Clubs have links with local schools, establishing regular coaching programmes and encouraging juniors to play tennis.

In addition though in 2017 an initiative, in partnership with the LTA’s “Tennis Foundation”, named “School of Tennis” involved 5 schools and Clubs in Bristol, i.e.

  • Bedminster Down School linked with Knowle Tennis Club
  • Redland Green School linked with Kings Tennis Club and Redland Green Tennis Club
  • Colston’s School linked with Downend & Frenchay Tennis Club
  • St Bede’s  School linked with University of Bristol Tennis
  • Bristol Free School also linked with University of Bristol Tennis

“Are you Game for Tennis” was used as the promotional branding campaign.

Initial impact has been impressive with Bedminster Down School sharing their success via the Tennis Foundation website – participation rising from just 8 to 137 in just a few months! Please have a look – Bedminster Down School – Tennis

One of the key successes has been the training of Young Ambassadors in the schools who have been very enthusiastic and determined to promote tennis and engage more pupils in the game.  The hope is that in 2018 the scheme will evolve further and even more juniors will be attracted to playing tennis.