Inclusive tennis event lifts the roof off Newcastle College!

Newcastle College teamed up with the Tennis Foundation to put on an inclusive tennis event for students at the Ryehill Sports Centre, Tuesday April 4^th 2017.

The event’s aim was to give the young people a taste of tennis based skills, competitive play and to share the physical and mental benefits tennis can bring to people’s lives.

There was an incredible amount of energy throughout the event from everyone involved. The participants were split up into 2 groups. Group 1 started by practising the egg and spoon race and hit into the bucket, whilst group 2 peeled off to practice some rallying, using a bucket as a net. They then progressed into practising their trick shots, until eventually rallying over a mini-red net. Once group 1 had completed their skills challenges they moved onto the Tennis Factory equipment where they tried rally rebound, volley ladder as well as using the micro net. Both groups spent the whole 2-hour morning session practising these challenges with incredible commitment and determination. The 2-hour afternoon session had a competitive side to it. Both groups were split into Team Murray and Team Federer and went through the skills challenges they had completed in the morning but with a competitive swing to it. The positive vibes from the support workers and  coaches mixed in with the grit of the participants led to an incredibly rewarding afternoon!

Alison Cartmell, who coaches at David Lloyd Newcastle and Jo Cunliffe, representative from the LTA, led group 1 on the skills challenges and Tennis Factory. Dominic Hughes, volunteer from Northumbria University, led group 2 with the rallying activities and the round robin competition at the end.  We also had support from the staff of Newcastle College, including Ian Brown who had marketed the event and formed the link between the LTA and Newcastle College.  In addition to Ian, the support staff played an invaluable part in the event with their unwavering enthusiasm from start to finish!

Alison Cartmell, who oversaw the event,

“Today’s event put a huge smile on my face. Watching the participants throwing so much determination and effort into their tennis was incredibly positive, not only for the sport, but to encourage other students to pick up a tennis racket and get involved!  The competitive edge led to an incredible atmosphere where everyone was having fun!”