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.

School Club Links in Action

Selly Oak Special School in Birmingham formed a new club at the local indoor tennis centre, which now provides regular weekly after school sessions for pupils with a learning disability as well as the chance to compete against other special schools and at county and national level. This has inspired other schools to link with a club.

King Alfred’s Sports College in Oxfordshire runs a programme for 16 schools and over 700 children each year. Last year the local tennis club attracted 50 new junior members and the 16 schools have reported improved attitude, behaviour, achievement and confidence with the children and young people involved.

Hertfordshire Schools Tennis

• Herts Schools Tennis was formed over 20 years ago to support the teaching of tennis in schools in Hertfordshire
• We run competitions for school teams in both primary and secondary schools  
• Our programme is designed to ensure that there are competitive opportunities for all ages and all standards of play
• We are keen to respond to local needs and will adapt our events accordingly   
• We are volunteers, mainly teachers, with considerable experience in schools tennis
• We work closely with Herts LTA and the Tennis Foundation
• Teams must be accompanied by an adult at all times, but this can be a parent or school helper rather than a teacher.

Programme 2012:

Teachers Course: April 26^th 5-8pm
County Schools Championships:  28^th April 9am - 1.30pm (experienced players, U14, U18)
Nicola Mabbitt Trophy: matches throughout the summer term in local areas.  Finals 5^th July 1.30pm – 6.00pm (less experienced players, ratings bar 9.2)
Year 7 Tournament: 20^th June (Girls separate events for less experienced and experienced players, Boys experienced players only)
Mini Red: 27^th June (experienced players)
Mini Orange: 13^th June (Group stages then play offs.  No players eliminated)
Mini Green: 18^th May (Group stages then play offs.  No players eliminated)

 For full details of our 2012 programme please see:

www.herts-schools-tennis.org.uk

 For advice on entries please contact: pam@herts-schools-tennis.org.uk

The Committee

Get Involved: Local Contacts

Partnership Development Managers in Hertfordshire

Competition Managers in Hertfordshire

A list of current school-club links within Hertfordshire