Virgin Active is delighted to say that 2012 has been a successful year for girl’s tennis. At a time when girls tennis is struggling to not only get girls involved but more importantly to keep them involved throughout teenage years, Virgin Active has worked hard to promote girls tennis. Part of this is to offer all girl’s sessions run by Virgin Active Coach Stephanie Eadon and Level 2 Tennis Assistant Amy Hobburn.
The all-girls squad is delivered at Virgin Active Wearside on a Saturday morning 9 till 10.30am to help inspired teenage girls stay in Tennis. Initially the squad started with 6 girls who were already taking part in various junior mixed sessions as part of the weekly programme. Most of the players had talked about giving up tennis as they were no longer enjoying their time on court. Steph and Amy hoped by bringing the girls together they could bring the enjoyment back to their game. The idea had gone down well with both the players and parents and as word spread about this unique session more girls wanted to get involved which was great not only be involved in the sessions but for girls tennis. The session has now 14 regular girls attending whilst other sessions are getting set up.
The hour and a half session is split into two parts, the first part is to focus on improving their technical and tactical performance of the girls as well as fitness through cardio tennis during the first hour. That is then followed by half an hour of singles and doubles match play to get the girl practising for match play events, tournaments and team matches. The emphasis is on the session is that the girls are having fun and enjoying their tennis, at the same time improving their game. Stephanie Eadon explains “Girl’s tennis is something I am passionate about improving. This is one of my favourite squads I take every week. Seeing all the girls enjoying their tennis and starting to compete in tournaments, Is amazing to see. When I started this squad I knew that there was a need for girls only groups however didn’t think as many girls would like to be involved. What Amy and I have achieved is amazing and keeping young girls interested in tennis and competing in regular tournaments is wonderful to see regardless of the standard”.
Phoebe Nordon who was one of the first girls to join the squad and the inspiration for the squad describes the impact of the all-girls tennis sessions, she said “I was about to give up tennis completely before I met Steph. I started individual lesson with her and spoke to her about why tennis might not be for me. Steph suggested starting an all-girls squad and I was very happy and wanted to attend with my best friend Olivia. Now I’m back playing tennis twice a week and hopefully at the end of April playing 3 times a week. Being a part of the all-girls squad isn’t just about improving my tennis but it’s a great social with all my friends whilst allowing me to once again enjoy my tennis”.
2013 is to proving to be an exciting year for girls tennis, with lots of more ideas to get more girls involved!