Grab Your Free Tennis for Kids Sessions with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) today!
My grandad has always loved watching tennis, so when his only grandchild reached the tender age of 6, he decided to sign her up for tennis lessons. For two years after that, my auntie would drag me to my tennis lessons every Wednesday morning. I was not keen. Then one day, tennis lessons mysteriously stopped and my auntie even more mysteriously disappeared. I found out a couple of years later that my much-loved auntie had fled with my tennis teacher (ouch!). Tennis was never mentioned again in my family. Not once.
Fast forward 12 years and I was working as a nanny in Paris. My little protégé would attend tennis coaching every Wednesday, and I would watch him run, hop from one foot to the other, hit the yellow ball with his small racket, rarely missing one. Maxou, at the grand age of 8, was a natural. He loved his tennis lessons and seeing him so confident and buzzing, week after week, made me wish I had been encouraged to persevere with tennis when I was younger.
15 years later (gosh, not getting any younger, am I?) and I have 4 children of my own. They all swim and two of the girls dance as well. Other activities include Art, learning to play the piano and the guitar and mucking about together. We are lacking a bit in more social sports, me-thinks.
Free Tennis for Kids, you say?
Enter the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) Free Tennis for Kids sessions. Although I have no dreams of glory and fame for my children (no need to worry, Andy Murray!), I find tennis a brilliant way to stay active and to make new friends along the way.
The 100% free Tennis for Kids is LTA’s flagship programme, with 20,000 spaces for 5-8 year olds who are keen to try tennis for the first time. Not only will children in the course get six weeks of tennis sessions, but they will also receive a free racket on completion of the course.
Free Tennis for Kids… for Real?
When I first heard of the programme, I thought, “Oh OK, that’s nice, but I bet I’ll end up driving for miles and miles to get to the closest court on the programme.” How pessimistic of me! When I first looked for availability (check here), I tentatively asked to see available sessions within a 5-mile radius, and there were 9 different places I could take my children to! I opted for the closest (1.5 miles), near one of our favourite play parks. Beanie (6) and Crevette (8) were ecstatic when I told them they would be learning to play tennis. OK, maybe Beanie was a tad less excited than her brother, but that seems to be her default attitude at the moment.
I really am impressed with Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) for offering free tennis for sessions for kids on such a large scale, and all across the UK as well. It is a fantastic way to encourage little ones to be active, discover tennis and gain some new skills throughout the 6-week programme they will be taking part in. Trying a new sport is not something all families can afford, so I really value this project and hope many get the places they want.
In short,
When?
The free #TennisForKids sessions take place from 22 April 2017.
Who?
5 to 8-year-olds who are new to tennis
The programme focuses on keeping young children interested and fully engaged, even if they have never picked up a tennis racket before. .
What?
Children attending can wear whatever feels comfortable, with suitable footwear (trainers) and they do not need to bring anything other than a water bottle.
The sort of activities you should expect are ball games that will help with hand-eye coordination. The balls are softer than traditional tennis balls, and therefore well-suited for beginners. The court the children will be playing on is smaller, with a smaller net. The coaches in charge of sessions are trained in getting beginners excited and motivated.
At the end of the #TennisForKids course, children receive a free tennis racket that is theirs to keep!
How?
To book your free tennis for kids sessions, click here.
Have you signed up yet?
Disclosure: I am working in a paid relationship with the Lawn Tennis Association on their #TennisForKids campaign. All photos and opinions are my own. Sign up for your FREE tennis sessions here.
This is such a good idea and I hope many parents enrol their kids. Free tennis is absolutely brilliant as usually its quite costly and the fact that they dont need to wear anything special keeps the cost down too 🙂 xxx
I know, completely! I was quite pleased we were not told to buy anything specific like tennis gear. It really makes it a fully free trial 🙂
Love the #TennisForKids campaign. My eldest had free lessons with the LTA last year. And, wow, what a story involving your aunt!
It’s such a great campaign. I’m really happy to be spreading the word about it as so many people could benefit from the scheme. 3 of my friends have booked sessions already 🙂
This is a great initiative to get kids into tennis. We used to take our eldest for lessons when she was very tiny but somehow got out of the habit. Your family’s tennis history made me gasp!
I know… My grandad still loves tennis and watches it on TV, but the sport was never mentioned again after my auntie left, ha ha ha!
This is a fab initiative, I used to love playing tennis as a child x
It’s brilliant, isn’t it? I love a treat like that with no strings attached! My little ones are really looking forward to it. They’ve never done anything like that!
Wow – what a story Mel!! But I’m so glad that you have found your children sessions locally and I hope they really love them. It’s such a terrific initiative #TennisForKids
We’re all really excited about the sessions. #TennisForKids is the best initiative I have ever come across to encourage children to take on some form of exercise.
Such a fab campaign for those with kids, inspiring children to get sporty and healthy at the same time too 🙂 x
This is such a great programme for children to learn a new sport and it’s really wonderful that you don’t have to provide the equipment. It allows you to find out if your child enjoys the sport before having to invest in equipment.
Exactly! It’s really the best initiative you could think of!
This looks like such a blast! I love tennis. I know even I would have a great time at this activity!
🙂
I have never heard of these free tennis courses before. But I have just taken a look and was surprised to see that there is some close to where I live. Might have to book the kids in
Book soon if your kids fancy the sessions 🙂
Your aunt and your tennis teacher!? Oh my gosh, sounds like a soap opera!! I think this is such a great idea 🙂
Soap opera material indeed 🙂
Good to know there is such an initiative. Perfect for kids especially those who are on vacation.
The sessions we booked will be on a Sunday morning in July-August, so they’re perfect, really.
What a fab idea! I will let my friends know who have kids this age x
It’s brilliant, isn’t it?
Sounds like a great campaign and is perfect for my girls as they are the right ages too!
I hope you got the spot you wanted for them!
This is a really great campaign, perfect for introducing children to more sports activities.
It is, isn’t it?
so good that stuff like this is being done to help kids stay fit xo
It’s a fab initiative, isn’t it?
I love this campaign, it sounds like a great idea to get kids more active! x
It’s perfect for spring/summer, isn’t it?
My kids love tennis and if we were in the area we would certainly have come along
There are sessions all over the country!
What a great initiative! I’m a bit young for it this year but next year hopefully I can join in x
Two of my girls are still too young as well, but I’ll make sure I sign them up when they turn 5!
Oh heck! That’s a bit cheeky if your auntie haha!
Would have loved this as a kid, but tbh I was always better at badminton as I have zero upper arm strength!
I have zero strength full stop, ha ha ha!
What a really good idea to get kids involved in to and learn about a new sport!
This sounds so great! I really wish I had got into tennis as a kid so this is a brilliant thing to get more kids playing and being active 😀
We cant wait for Evies sessions to start – really looking forward to it now!
Same here. We’re all excited 🙂
What an incredible tennis tale you have from your childhood! We too were impressed with the availability near us.
Everything happens for a reason. I really loved my auntie and missed her for years after that, but I heard from her a few years ago and she’s really happy with my old tennis teacher. So is my uncle, so that was meant to be!
I am sure they will love their free sessions, looks like they are enjoying racket sports in the picture! x
This looks great would have loved this as a child