All schools can give children access to tennis on a playground, in a school hall or on a court and it is at school that most children have their first experience of tennis. To further provide pupils with access to coaching and other tennis support and facilities, schools can build a link with a local club, this not only benefits the pupils but also the schools, clubs and coaches involved.
Improved Access for Students
Schools that have built links with clubs have reported improved attitude, behaviour, achievement and confidence from the children and young people involved. School Club links enable schools to boost their profiles in the community and run clubs out of regular school hours to benefit pupils and their parents.
Benefits to Clubs
Linking with a school enables clubs to grow their membership base and increase their income. Schools can also provide clubs with younger volunteers to run competitions and other activities. Working with a school also enables clubs to increase their profile and reputation.
Opportunities for Coaches
Coaching in schools enables coaches to grow their business. Schools coaches also get the opportunity to inspire kids and help them with their first steps to become the champions of the future. Encouraging their club to build a link with a school can help coaches play a key role in the growth of their club’s membership and give them more influence in the running of their club.
Get Involved: Local Contacts
Partnership Development Managers and Competition Managers are based in each local authority and are responsible for schools sports competitions, including tennis.
Partnership Development Managers
Merle Forbes - Burnham Upper School - Mforbes@burnhamupperschool.org.uk
Pam Munday-Cripps - Sir William Borlase School - Pmunday@swbgs.com
Sally Maply - Wye Valley School - Smapley@wyevalley.bucks.sch.uk
Sue Formby - Dr Challoners School - Sue.formby@challonershigh.com
Katie Milton - Mandeville School - Katie.milton@mandeville.bucks.sch.uk
Ema Nulty - Buckingham School - Enulty@bucksgfl.org.uk
Nina Sweetland - Leon School - Nsweetland@leon.milton-keynes.sch.uk
Amber Ollier - Radcliffe School - A.ollier@radcliffeschool.org.uk
Senior Competition Manager
Emily Clarke - Eclarke@buckssport.org
School Club Links in Action
Aylesbury Tennis Club have recently established a Community Tennis Programme linking with Mandeville School and the Aylesbury Vale School Sports Partnership. They are looking to expand the programme in September, introducing a new link at Quarrendon School. If you would like to know more about this programme please contact Sue Dunn on thedunns@thedunns.wanadoo.co.uk or ring 07907 699231.
All of our Clubmark accredited clubs have purposeful school-club links, utilising the relationship to provide a quality first tennis experience for the pupils and the opportunity to join the club's coaching and competitive programme. If you need advice about how to start a school-club link please contact the Tennis Development Manager Abbie Lench on Abbie.lench@LTA.org.uk