Ellinore’s New York Coaching Experience
• 2 MINUTE READ
Welsh coach Ellinore Lightbody was invited to New York during the US Open to work with Judy Murray and the WTA to promote womens’ and girls’ tennis in the Big Apple via the ‘Come Play’ programme.
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The “Come Play” programme is run by the WTA and was a key component of the 50th Anniversary celebration of equal prize money - acknowledging the fantastic the work of the “Original 9” lead by Billie Jean King to establish the Women’s tour and equal prize money.
As part of the programme Ellinore and Judy – friends since they played together at the 14u British National Championships – held clinics at New York Park sites Harlem Junior Tennis + Education Programme and Cunningham Park. The park sites provide free tennis programmes for kids with little or no financial resources. They have been very successful, with Harlem seeing four players who started with them gaining tennis scholarships to University.
The clinics included a coach workshop lead by Judy and supported by Ellinore. The theme was working with larger numbers on court, teaching skills to build confidence in beginner players.
This was followed by a session for 50 kids (50 to coincide with the WTA 50th Anniversary), where the coaches put into practice what they’d learnt.
Ellinore also attended the WTA celebration dinner.
