Writhlington School and Tennis Centre welcomed the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) President, Cathie Sabin, to their courts to showcase the fantastic activities and opportunities taking place in the school, Sixth Form Tennis Academy and the community.
Writhlington has a long history of success and excellence through sport and excel with their community and school outreach programmes. Students have achieved UKCC LTA qualifications & awards and Scholarships to attend top universities in both England and America, as well as travelling to New Zealand to coach.
Amanda Stonier Head of Tennis said:
‘Not only are we proud to offer great courses and coaching opportunities, but it is a real testament to what we do that a lot of our young enthusiasts come back and help coach the next generation of sports stars.’
Mrs Sabin, who became President of the LTA in 2013, took the tennis world by storm becoming the first female to represent the LTA, following a successful career as Assistant Head of Idsall School - a Specialist Sports College, working with students from all backgrounds including Famous football stars Michael Owen, Andy Cole and Jamie Carragher.
Students welcomed Mrs Sabin to the Tennis Centre where she presented Year 10 students with their Sports Leader certificates, she watched Year 10 and 11 students playing and spoke to the 6th Form students who are on the Workforce Development Programme that is now in its second year.
The Tennis Leaders Award is designed to engage students and adults in sports organisation, assisting the coach and committee with the day to day running of the tennis venue and tennis programme. Young leaders often see the course as the first step on the career ladder, gaining valuable transferable skills.
Tom Hunt & Maz Veater Year 13 students and the Tennis Ambassadors for Writhlington took Mrs Sabin on a guided tour of the sports centre and school.
Maz said: ‘Mrs Sabin was lovely and really liked our school and what we do here.’
Cathie Sabin said:
" I was inspired by the tennis programme led by Mandy Stonier at Writhlington; she is clearly making a positive input to the future workforce for British tennis and engages with young people as volunteers, leaders, coaches and Ambassadors, in the hope that they will continue being involved in and leaders of British tennis in the future. There is excellent cooperation between the tennis team and the school senior management team which enables such a programme to develop. The young people were delightful and, if all our young leaders are as good as this, then our future is bright.”