The Tennis Education Academy programme at Barnet and Southgate College has been shortlisted for the Sporting Initiative Award category in the Times Educational Supplement FE Awards 2014 nominations, which were announced last week.
The awards recognise the dedication and expertise of the people who, on a daily basis make a significant contribution to improving the skill levels of young people and adult learners.
The awards are open to anyone working in the learning and skills sector, in an organisation which receives funding from the Skills Funding Agency, Scottish Funding Council, or the Young People's Learning Agency, which includes; colleges, work-based learning providers, adult and community learning providers, offenders learning establishments, and specialist designated institutes.
The Barnet and Southgate College Tennis Education Academy offers aspiring young tennis players full-time study coupled with performance coaching. The programme is run in partnership with Hazelwood Lawn Tennis Club for boys and girls aged 16 to 19 to combine full-time academic education with regular training during the week.
In addition, students hone their skills and knowledge for a possible future career in the game as a coach or Tennis Development Manager by competing their Level 1 and Level 2 LTA coaching qualifications. After training each week the players work under the supervision of the coaches at Hazelwood, voluntarily assisting on the mini tennis programme for two hours.
Students also receive full-time education at Barnet and Southgate College and further plans this year include running a minimum of one Tennis Leaders course, as well as two Competition Organiser workshops for students studying an NVQ in Activity Leadership.
Finally, in addition to Hazelwood LTC, which is the predominant and close partner of the College, good relationships have been formed with many other local tennis clubs and providers, with students completing their voluntary hours in these community clubs and settings.
"We're really excited to be shortlisted for this award and it demonstrates the impact this programme has had in only its second year. It's really exciting to see the improvement amongst the students academically, as coaches and also in their playing ability," said James Edgerley, Sport Development Officer at the College.
"Our goals in both the short and long-term are to continue the growth in the squad, both the number of students within the scheme and also those going through the coaching qualifications. In addition, we'd like to expand our exit route possibilities and grow the scheme to link up with other partner clubs in different areas of North London."
The Tennis Foundation's Further Education Manager, Christine Sprowell, added: "It's fantastic to see Barnet and Southgate College being shortlisted for this award, the Tennis Education Academy is going from strength to strength and an excellent example of how a college can work in partnership with a local tennis venue to increase opportunities for young people to both excel in tennis and to learn through the sport.
"The college has been creative in setting up the academy, which is also supporting the LTA and Tennis Foundation to grow more young coaches and to help get more people playing tennis more often."
Barnet and Southgate College is one of 67 colleges supported by the Tennis Foundation and you can find out more about our support here.
Find out more about the tennis programme at Barnet and Southgate College here.
Find out more about the other nominees here.
Share