She Rallies is led by Judy Murray and supported by British Tennis to inspire and train female volunteers and coaches, with the ultimate aim to encourage more women & girls into tennis. With 25 Ambassadors spread across the UK Stephanie Eadon is 1 of 4 She Rallies Ambassadors in the North looking to engage a new and diverse workforce in tennis.
Sunday June 18th was the first of 3 workshops Stephanie will be delivering in the North East. The day started off with 14 new Activators made up of tennis coaches, school teachers, multi sports coaches and parents being trained in Recreational Competitions. The Activators learned about the She Rallies initiative and the course content including; skill stations, double trouble match play and fun games. The second part of the day saw 22 U10 young female players come together from various clubs throughout the region to participate in a U10 Team Competition. The atmosphere was fantastic throughout with the players and new activators enjoying their time on and off court.
The U10 event followed the extremely successful Girls Only Red and Orange events held in Northumberland and Durham & Cleveland earlier this year. The all-female event on June 18th welcomed players from Boldon, David Lloyd Teesside, Northumberland Club, Cramlington, Yarm, Sunderland Tennis Centre, David Lloyd Newcastle, Tennis World, Northumberland Tennis Academy and Beverley Park. 10 teams of 2 girls took part in timed doubles match play and competed in skills stations designed to enhance their speed, balance, agility and coordination skills. The team with the most points accumulated from both activities would be the eventual overall winner.
The girls had fun not only playing tennis but learning the life skills tennis can bring such as social, wellbeing and feel good factors. For example, making friends, working with a team, commitment and improving personal bests rather than focusing on winning! After some exciting tennis and high energy skills activities the points were totalled and the eventual winning pair were Saakshi Santosh (David Lloyd Newcastle) and Estelle Orr (Yarm). The runner up pair was Goodness Onuh (Tennis World) and Isabella Hunt (Sunderland Tennis Centre). Well done to all the players that took part!
The She Rallies Activators will now return to clubs, schools and community associations with a free equipment pack and the confidence that they can now deliver a fun Recreational Competition for girls. The next step will see the Activators put together their personal action plan for the next 12 months supported by Stephanie and the She Rallies team. She Rallies is committed to ensure the Activators have the knowledge, equipment and support they need to ensure the programme is a success.
The North East based Ambassador and Activators will be rallying together, along with more local women to get more girls in the area involved in the game and this is just the start. Stephanie Eadon expressed her excitement after the event.
‘I am delighted to have the opportunity to inspire women and girls from the local area and provide them with their initial training. I will continue to support and mentor the new activators in their sporting environment to continue to grow the girls and women’s game. The whole day was absolutely fantastic.
If you have been inspired to get involved our next free workshop is on Thursday 6th July, 9.30 till 12.30 at Boldon Lawn Tennis Club developing Fun Days for clubs, schools and communities. Activators must be females and 16+. For more information please contact Stephanie or visit www.sherallies.com.