The Olympic Torch passed through the New Forest on Saturday taking in several villages including Brockenhurst, the route also included a half hour stop at Brockenhurst College. Thousands lined the streets in expectation (and in rain jackets) as the torch arrived at around 10:30am accompanied by a motorcade of promotional vehicles and security personnel.
As part of the festivities the College had arranged a sports day where anyone could get involved with a range of sports and find out more about local activities. The team from Xcel Tennis based at Lymington Tennis Club laid on 4 courts of activities including mini tennis, coaching drills, free play and Cardio Tennis. Once the torch had left the College the courts began to fill up and within an hour over 100 people were on court with more waiting to get on and enquiring about how they could get involved.
Andy Trott LTA Tennis Development Officer for the South West said “With Murrays success last week and with the Olympics only 2 weeks away it is great to see how sport can unite people, how sport can inspire and motivate people to do something different, to try something new and to challenge their preconceptions and get involved. There must have been around 500 people who played tennis within the space of the morning with many wanting to find out more about getting on court more often. I was impressed by the diversity on court throughout the morning going to show that tennis is a sport for anyone.”
Later in the morning the Olympic Torch was brought along to the courts for people to have a photo and to be inspired by the stories of local people who give up their time to develop sport and create opportunities to get people active and as well as people who inspire with the performances in their chosen sports.
Trott added “If you would like to find out more about getting on court then visit www.allplaytennis.com, it has never been easier to play tennis.”