North East Serves up Social She Rallies Event!

Sunday September 9^th saw the North East’s Festival starting off with 15 new Activators made up of tennis coaches, Northumbria University students, school teachers and multi sports coaches receiving Fun Days training. 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 35 young U10 female players come together from various clubs across 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, Orange and Green events held in Northumberland and Durham & Cleveland earlier this year. The all-female event on September 9^th welcomed players Hutton Rudby Tennis Club, David Lloyd Teesside, Tennis World, Eldon Grove Tennis Club, Blaydon Tennis Club, Yarm Tennis Club, Durham Moor Tennis Club, Northallerton Tennis Club, New Blackwell Tennis Club, Barnard Castle Tennis Club, Northumberland Tennis Academy, Cramlington CCTP and Beverley Park. 

The girls were split into TEAM USA and Team GB, where they 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 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 as 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 winners were Team USA. Medals were also given out to 8 players who had shown great spirit, teamwork, enjoyment and determination. Well done to all the players that took part!

The She Rallies Activators will now return to clubs, schools and community venues with a free equipment pack and the confidence that they can now deliver fun, engaging and social events! 

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. Louise Assioun, 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 areas. The whole day was absolutely fantastic".

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 52 Ambassadors spread across the UK Louise Assioun is 1 of 5 She Rallies Ambassadors in the North looking to engage a new and diverse workforce in tennis.

If you have been inspired to get involved there are a number of free workshops across the Country. Activators must be females and 16+. For more information please visit www.sherallies.com.