Westminster got a taste of Wimbledon today when the Prime Minister met some of the two million children given a chance to play tennis as a result of the schools tennis programme run by the Tennis Foundation and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).
The event was part of a programme of activity to promote tennis as a sport for all ages and abilities, at a time when it takes centre stage for the British public on the eve of The Championships, Wimbledon.
The activity saw kids from four primary schools from the Olympic and Paralympic host boroughs trying out LTA Mini Tennis with former British No.1 Greg Rusedski and current British No. 3 Johanna Konta.
Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister, had earlier reacted positively to the LTA's efforts to increase participation at PMQs and said:
"I think we should commend the LTA for the work they are doing to try and make tennis much more of a mass participation sport. I see it in the primary school my children go to where more tennis is being taught and played."
Greg Rusedski, Former British Number 1, said, "Tennis is a fantastic sport for all the family, a great way to get fit and have fun at the same time. I'm delighted to be here today to play tennis with some of the kids from the schools tennis programme which has given so many children their first taste of tennis."
Johanna Konta, British Female No.3 added, "You only have to see smiles on the faces of the children to see how much fun they have with a racket in hand. I want to play my part in helping inspiring kids to get involved in tennis – a sport that means so much to me."
Amongst the pupils attending were children from Britannia Village Primary School from Newham which this year became the 15,000th school to receive free training and equipment. The school is part of the Aegon Schools Tennis programme which supports more than half of schools across Great Britain.
The activity in Westminster today is part of the LTA and Tennis Foundation's summer drive in which there are over 160 events around the country to encourage people to play tennis.
This event was also supported by Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, who joined in the tennis activities with the children from schools across London.
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