Pupils from St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School in Sheffield took part in a Player Clinic with top British junior Evan Hoyt as they were treated to a day at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton last week.
St Catherine’s were invited along when they became the 10,000th primary school to receive free tennis equipment, training and resources as part of the AEGON Schools Tennis programme, organised by the Tennis Foundation and the Lawn Tennis Association.
The pupils had already enjoyed a tennis lesson with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg when he visited the school in May to celebrate the milestone.
Babolat supported the day as a class of 30 pupils, along with four teachers, enjoyed an on-court session with Babolat ambassador and British junior No.8 Hoyt and his coach Ben Haran.
This was followed by some top tips and a question and answer session with Hoyt before the pupils headed home with a new Babolat racket each.
Sports Coach at St Catherine’s Jane Glossop said, “The kids have thoroughly enjoyed the day and have been looking forward to it since Nick Clegg visited the school a few months ago.
“The equipment and resources have made a real difference to us and we now have tennis not only in PE lessons, but at dinner time and after school.”
Head teacher Fiona Rigby added, “Our children have been incredibly enthusiastic about their tennis, the programme is accessible and fun and now that they have additional equipment too they are ready to go for it!”
“The day they spent at the National Tennis Centre was amazing. Without exception they climbed off the coach at 6.45pm tired but unable to stop talking about their incredible experience.”
More than 12,500 schools have now received the AEGON Schools Tennis equipment packs, which include mini rackets, balls and a net that can be used easily in both sports and school halls.
The Tennis Foundation’s Schools Tennis Manager Paul Williams said, “Enabling more children to pick up a racket is a key priority for British Tennis. AEGON Schools Tennis provides the resources and support necessary for teachers to deliver tennis at all levels. We were thrilled to host St Catherine’s at the National Tennis Centre and hope their visit will inspire them to be involved in the sport for years to come.”
Babolat’s National Promotions and Sponsorship Manager Aidan Graveson added, “Babolat were delighted to support the clinic for the 10,000th school to be supported by the AEGON Schools Tennis Programme. AEGON Schools Tennis is a fantastic project raising the standard of tennis taught in schools, and thus providing an exciting and well structured first experience of tennis to the pupils at each of the schools involved. This can only be positive in raising the numbers of young children taking up the sport."