Northumbria University student volunteers saw the successful launch of the 'allplay tennis Newcastle' campaign on 12 February 2012!
In partnership with Northumbria University including the 'allplay team' (Sarah Stephenson, Verity Roach, James Marriott, Rachel Greenwood, Stephanie Cox, Karl Morris, Abi Rodwell, Beth Williamson, Daniel Bracken), the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, Newcastle City Council, 'on court' magazine and local coach Carl Brough, Jo Cunliffe Tennis Development Manager for the area launched the Newcastle allplay challenge in a bid to highlight different ways to get more people playing the sport in the North East.
The launch, which took place at the University’s new £30m state of the art ‘Sports Central’, gave beginners to the game, budding players and returners to the sport the opportunity to try out both Cardio Tennis - a fun, energetic up-tempo workout on court for over 16s - and Touch Tennis, a modified version of the full game using smaller courts and rackets.
In total, 56 people signed up to www.allplaytennis.com, the LTA’s campaign to help more people play tennis, and a number of players took part in the Cardio and Touch programmes.
Alex Dogramadzi, who joined in the session was inspired by the day, said: “It was an amazing event and the Touch Tennis was great fun. It’s basically playing tennis on smaller court, which means you can have good rallies.
“Now that we have signed up to allplaytennis.com we can find out more information about tennis too. We had a great day and we will definitely be looking at booking onto the courses at Sport Central.”
There are a number of prizes up for grabs, including £60 worth of individual coaching lessons and Babolat rackets for everyone who signs up to www.allplaytennis.com on the day. The Newcastle allplay challenge will continue at other venues over the next six months and winner and runner up will be drawn in July 2012.
Tennis Development Manager Jo was thrilled with the launch and is excited about the Newcastle allplay challenge. She said: “With success this weekend at the Davis Cup, it is a great time for everyone of all standards to get involved with the game running up to the summer season and beyond.
“allplaytennis.com is a fantastic campaign to encourage more people to play tennis and the website is full of information about where to play, coaching, cardio tennis and arranging games with other players in your local area.”
If you’ve been inspired and would like to get involved and pick up a racket the next open day will take place at Leazes Park on Sunday 22 April from 1pm until 4pm.
For more information either visit www.allplaytennis.com or contact North East & Cumbria LTA on 0191 522 5005.