London 2012 hopeful Lucy Shuker today visited James Elliman Primary School in Slough in support of getting more disabled people playing tennis, as well as introducing the school to the Tennis Foundation’s AEGON Schools Tennis Programme.
The AEGON Schools Programme provides training, resources and free equipment to schools nationwide to help more people play tennis at schools. The Tennis Foundation is also training more teachers to deliver tennis and providing resources and equipment to support delivery.
British Women’s No.1 Lucy said: “The AEGON Schools Tennis Programme is a great way of getting more people to play tennis in schools, and demonstrates that tennis is an inclusive sport that can be played by all ages and all abilities.
“It is a privilege to be in a position where I can encourage more young people to get involved in tennis and hopefully enjoy the sport as much as I do.”
Vanda Devshi, Year Four Team Leader added: “The children have really enjoyed today and loved meeting Lucy. We have been using the AEGON Schools Tennis Programmes for a while now and it is great, some of the children have really taken to the game and the visit from Lucy has made them even more enthusiastic about it.”
The Tennis Foundation’s Schools Tennis Manager Paul Williams said: “Enabling more children to pick up a racket is a key priority for British Tennis. AEGON Schools Tennis provides the resources and support necessary for teachers to deliver tennis at all levels.”
Tennis Development Manager for Somerset and Dorset James Deem said “Lucy is hugely supportive of the development of tennis, she is a credit to the county and always represents us well both on and off the court”
The Tennis Foundation is Great Britain’s leading tennis charity, engaging all parts of the community, recognising diversity and promoting inclusion.