In a week that sees the nation celebrating Andy Murray’s success, along with British players taking home a further 4 titles in the Mixed Doubles and Wheelchair Tennis Events at the Wimbledon Championships, there are more reasons to celebrate in the North East.
The region has seen hundreds of thousands of people from all ages and standards participating in tennis using innovation, fun and engaging equipment since 1996.
This year the ‘Tennis Factory’ celebrates its 20th Anniversary working alongside the LTA and other partners to support the development of the game, with the aim of increasing participation opportunities for children and adults.
Local Authority sports development teams, tennis clubs, workplaces and schools across the Region have utilised the Tennis Factory Rally Stations over the years to create a fun introduction to the sport in a wide range of locations from school halls to local parks, and even on Tynemouth beach.
Joanna Cunliffe, who is the Regional Tennis Participation Manager for the LTA highlighted,
“The Tennis Factory Kit is one of the most innovative and diverse pieces of kit to inspire people to pick up a racket or develop skills. As we know a lot of initiatives and ideas come and go, but celebrating Tennis Factory’s 20th Anniversary is proof it is here to stay. It really can be used by anyone and include competitive and participation elements. We’ve been from beaches, to schools, to community centre’s and workplaces, encouraging new people into the sport. It’s been great that a number of our tennis clubs are also using the kit at not only the Great British Tennis Weekends but also within their coaching programmes!”
As part of the celebrations Tennis Factory are donating a number of Rally Stations to local schools in the Region. This included Regent Farm Primary and Brunton First Primary Schools, Newcastle.
Regent Farm Primary School are previous winners of Northumberland LTA’s prestigious ‘School of the Year’ Award and Brunton First Primary School recently won the Tony Blair Sports Foundation Year 3 Tennis Challenge Cup Newcastle area final.