Streetgames Launch Tennis Pop-up Clubs
As the Wimbledon Championships hits the headlines for its on-court action, tennis clubs for young people are ‘popping up’ across the country as part of a new initiative launched by national sports charity StreetGames, in partnership with Sport England and The Lawn Tennis Association.
The Pop-Up Clubs aim to bring tennis to the doorsteps of young people living in disadvantaged communities across the UK.
The launch is timed to coincide with Wimbledon and the clubs will continue throughout the summer, with 42 Tennis Pop-Up Clubs engaging over 760 young participants with the help of 125 volunteers and coaches – forming over 250 hours of tennis played by young people.
Participants at the Pop-Up Clubs will also be encouraged to join Live4tennis.org.uk, an online tennis community. The site – developed by young people for young people – encourages players to try new tennis challenges, join-in a fantasy tennis tournament and upload photos and videos of their favourite tennis shots.
HEAD UK, a global manufacturer and marketer of premium sports equipment and apparel, has sponsored the first phase of Tennis Pop-Up Clubs by supplying rackets, balls and mini tennis nets for the new projects. Coaches and volunteers are supplied by the StreetGames network and will be working with participants to signpost them to local tennis clubs and facilities.
Andy Catchpole from HEAD UK said: ‘We’re delighted to partner StreetGames in this new Tennis Pop-Up Clubs initiative, we didn’t realise how quickly the programme would grow and how many young people could be encourage to give tennis ago. I hope young people enjoy the sport and realise that tennis is more accessible than they thought.’
Roger Draper, CEO LTA commented: ‘StreetGames Tennis Pop-Up Clubs are an innovative way of reaching out to young people, especially those who might not see tennis as a sport for them. We want to make tennis a game for everyone and are delighted to support StreetGames in giving young people the chance to try out tennis and find out what a fun and enjoyable sport it is.’
Elena Baltacha, StreetGames ambassador and former British No.1 added: ‘Tennis is great game to watch and play. It improves fitness and the basics are easy to pick up. The new Tennis Pop-Up Club programme is a fantastic way for young people to try tennis, meet new friends and have some fun. If they enjoy the sport there are different routes for people to play the game more regularly and it’s more accessible than people think.’
