Olympics
Are you ready for London 2012?
The Olympic Games Countdown clock
Olympic Torch Relay Route
Torchbearers will run a number of races in July as part of a 70-day UK tour ahead of the games. From Tuesday 17th – Monday 23rd July the Olympic torch will be travelling through various locations in Kent. The torch will visit Canterbury Cathedral, Leeds Castle and the White Cliffs of Dover.
With the biggest sporting event hitting us this summer it is a fantastic opportunity for us all to sell and promote tennis to a new audience while everyone is gripped by the Olympic frenzy! As the Olympics is fast approaching, now is the time to start thinking about what your club/p2p could do to take advantage of this opportunity to promote itself and to help grow your membership.
Elena Baltacha, Britain’s Number 1 will carry the torch at St Peters in Broadstairs, Kent on 19th July. Speaking about her selection, Elena Baltacha said: "This is such an amazing honour that it's hard to put it into words. The Olympic Torch is a unique symbol, not just for athletes but for everybody who is part of London 2012.
Please click on the link to see which of the 40 chosen Kent locations are near you
This will be followed by the Olympic tennis event itself at Wimbledon from Saturday 28th July to Sunday 5th August.
What could your club do throughout this period to encourage this captive audience to pick up a racquet and give tennis a go? Some ideas could include:
Offering free taster sessions linking to local schools and community groups
Hosting Olympic themed social and tennis events
Offering some tennis activities as part of the local torch procession – contact your local authority to see what may be planned in your area:
Kent - http://www.kentsport.org/contacts.cfm#LA
Pro-active South (Bromley) London - http://www.pro-activesouthlondon.org/
Pro-active East (Bexley, Greenwich, Lewisham) London –
http://www.pro-activeeastlondon.org/