The coaching team at Reigate Priory Lawn Tennis Club has just completed a 2 week outreach programme to give a free tennis lesson for all pupils in years 1, 2, 3 and 4 at Sandcross Primary and Reigate Priory Schools.
Commencing on 24th February for 2 weeks, Head Coach, Russell Dykes led the sessions in Priory Park and at Sandcross School. 460 children received a tennis lesson, with a further 180 Sandcross pupils receiving a second lesson as part of the initiative. Throughout the 2 weeks a talent ID programme was in place to invite those showing the most potential back to Reigate Priory Lawn Tennis Club to receive a further 4 free performance tennis lessons.
Russell Dykes said "It was brilliant to see so many children enjoy tennis, many for the first time. With Andy Murray winning Wimbledon last year it's great to see tennis as a sport that children want to try and our outreach programme has ignited their enthusiasm to do more."
The outreach programme is a result of last October's 'Tennis Circus' fund raising event which brought former British Davis Cup player Danny Sapsford's charity, 'Bright Ideas for Tennis' to Reigate Priory Lawn Tennis Club to deliver a day of coaching master classes and exhibition tennis matches. Over £1,000 was raised on the day with all of the money going into developing tennis within the local community. The 'Tennis Circus' returns to the club on Sunday 1st June.
Mrs Constable, Head Teacher of Sandcross Primary school commented "The fact that the club members have gone to so much trouble to create funds for local community initiatives is quite remarkable and I would like to congratulate all involved."
All the information you need about playing tennis at Reigate Priory Lawn Tennis Club can be found online at www.rpltc.co.uk
Information Links:
- Reigate Priory Lawn Tennis Club (www.rpltc.co.uk) is located at Green Lane (off Park Lane), Reigate, RH2 8JX
- Reigate Priory Lawn Tennis Club offers four all weather floodlit courts, four grass courts and a modern club house
- The Tennis Circus (www.thetenniscircus.co.uk) is owned and run by Danny Sapsford, a former British Davis Cup player. It is a provider of tennis master classes and exhibition matches
- Bright Ideas for Tennis (www.brightideasfortennis.org) is a charity that aims to increase community participation in tennis by providing grants to eligible tennis clubs as well as providing clubs with an opportunity to raise fund.