University Tennis Coordinators from across the country came together at the National Tennis Centre last week to take part in a day’s training learning how to deliver Cardio Tennis.
As part of a wider training programme for the coordinators, they learnt all about the health and social benefits of Cardio Tennis as well as how to deliver a session themselves.
Cardio Tennis is a workout session which takes place on a tennis court with high-tempo music and is run by a Cardio Tennis trained coach. The main purpose of the session is to provide an enjoyable workout, taking the focus away from worrying about forehands and backhands to spending time in your appropriate cardio zone.
Ideal for university students who aren’t looking to pursue a serious tennis career but who still want to hit a few balls and stay in shape, Cardio Tennis is spreading across the UK as more and more people get the bug.
Jason Poole, coordinator for the University of Gloucestershire, said: “Cardio Tennis is one of my favourite sessions to put on and it has really taken off at our university.”
The Tennis Foundation’s Higher Education Manager, Alistair Higham, added: “Cardio tennis is perfect for students. It is one of the first tennis programmes where players of all standards can play together with the same goal of having high energy, calorie-busting fun!"
The University Tennis Coordinator Programme funds post-graduate, part-time coordinator positions in universities, with the aim of helping more students and staff to play tennis, whilst at the same time, helping to develop the future tennis workforce.
The Programme has now grown to 14 coordinators and this number is set to rise in coming years.
The positions are jointly funded by the Tennis Foundation and the university. Whilst managed by the university, support is also provided by the Foundation through initial training at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, as well as ongoing monitoring of targets and training opportunities.
With resources for schools and colleges already successfully implemented, the Foundation is now able to provide resources and development awards for universities, with the aim of growing the game by creating more opportunities for students to play and compete.
Key to the Tennis Foundation’s University Strategy is The Guide to University Tennis, a resource aimed at student tennis clubs and sports development staff working within universities to provide an overview of all the resources and support available to the Higher Education sector.
If your university is interested in joining the Programme from September 2012 you can contact Alistair Higham at Alistair.higham@tennisfoundation.org.uk.
Find out more about the University Tennis Coordinator Programme.
Watch a video with Jason & Jodie, two new University Tennis Coordinators for the 2011/12 year
An overview of Cardio Tennis - what it is, who it's for and the benefits of getting involved.