TENNIS
mixed abilities in a variety of environ- ments, so we extended the traditional Under 10s Mini Tennis red, orange and green ball concept to improve the play- ing experience for this sector. This means that up to 30 people are able to play on four warm, dry, indoor badminton courts and the balls are more likely to stay in play for longer, which sustains interest,” he explains.
Further education While continuing to role out programmes specifically aimed at the primary and secondary sectors, the TF is currently in the process of developing and finalising resources for 16-19 year-olds in further education as well as programmes that offer support for teachers working with disabled children and young people. Regan says that both these sectors
offer interesting challenges. “We’re looking at the best way to engage with disabled young people across the spe- cial needs spectrum and how tennis can make a difference in their lives. While making tennis provision work within the FE sector is about clever timetabling. Many young people attend college for lectures then disappear again, so we’re looking at how we can provide more tennis opportunities within their enrich- ment time,” he explains.
Getting on board The TF’s annual Schools Tennis road shows have proved an effective way of promoting the resources and support available to schools. Held each spring term, the first of this year’s 16 events kicked off in Bolton on 28 February and finishes in Roehampton, London on 25 March. Every school that attends re- ceives information on existing and new
We don’t expect all teachers to go away from the course as tennis advocates, provided they understand how the DVD works and what their role is in delivering it
resources being launched, a selection of school tennis equipment, a guide to school tennis, a chance to meet up with the local tennis development manager and entry into prize draws for addition- al tennis equipment and Wimbledon tickets. “Last year 650 people from our schools infrastructure attended the events, so it’s proved to be a great awareness raiser,” Regan says. In order for a school to cement its
partnership with the TF, Regan says a nominated teacher attends a three-hour teacher-training course, held locally with assistance from the Youth Sport Trust
(YST) Schools Sports Partnership. “These courses are free to join and on success- ful completion the candidate receives the DVD resource pack together with equip- ment that retails for more than £500. “We don’t expect all teachers to go
away from the course tennis advocates, provided they understand how the DVD works and what their role is in deliver- ing it, but feedback from the majority of delegates has been positive. Over 99 per cent of attendees say that it helps and in- spires them to deliver tennis,” he says. However, if teachers find they enjoy
the game and want to get more actively involved, Regan says they can get a help- ing hand towards the first rung of the LTA’s coaching pathway. “We can sign- post enthusiastic teachers towards the UKCC Level 1 coaching course and help them progress from there,” he says. Already 13,100 teachers and coaches
have been trained up within the School Tennis programme and Regan attributes this success to its content. “With the help of the LTA’s coaching department, the resources have been written by teachers for teachers rather than trying to shoe- horn coaching resources into schools in
Schoolchildren are introduced to tennis through AEGON-sponsored equipment and technical know how
62 Read Sports Management online
sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2011 © cybertrek 2011
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84