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Seeking the next Andy and Emma

To encourage the next generation of Andy Murrays and Emma Raducanus, Berwick Tennis Club  is seeking volunteers to help facilitate more junior sessions at the Pier Fields courts.

The club is working in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association’s Jo Cunliffe to explore ideas for coaching and organised play-sessions for juniors, aged 16 or under. 

Jo, who is a Workforce Development Partner with the tennis association, is hosting a free special LTA training session at the club at 11am to 1pm on Sunday, 2 April for volunteer members and non-members aged over 18 who want to help facilitate junior tennis.

As facilitating activity doesn’t involve any teaching or advice, sessions can be run by volunteers as long as they have all the appropriate safeguarding training and documentation.

These sessions will complement existing and future coaching activity organised by LTA-accredited coaches.

The club and tennis coach Hazel Ward are running Easter holiday camps during the school holidays. The camps are open to two age groups: 6-8 and 9-13 years (two separate groups).  The two two-hour sessions will run from 10.00am to 12 noon and take place on Tuesday, 4 April and Tuesday, 11 April.

The club will also be running after-school sessions on Wednesday afternoons throughout the Spring and Summer.  Monday sessions could also be offered, depending upon demand.

Jo’s course on 2 April will benefit anyone interested in helping to introduce juniors to tennis. Parents can also learn how to encourage their own children to fall in love with the game.

The tennis club will be contacting local schools in Berwick before the season starts to encourage them to book coaching sessions or buy sports equipment with a £250 LTA grant per school.

“I started playing tennis at the age of five and represented Great Britain and England in my teens. I also played in the USA Collegiate NCAA Division 1 for the University of Houston and work full time for the LTA. Tennis has been a major part of life and always will be. I am grateful I was given the opportunity to play at such a young age,” said Jo, who missed out on selection for the Great Britain over 40s team because of injury.

“Tennis is a great game for all the family, irrespective of age or ability. The future of volunteer clubs like ours depends on us encouraging the next generation to start playing.  That’s why we appreciate Jo’s passion for the game, her encouragement and her willingness to run a pilot scheme for the LTA’s Tennis Activator scheme in the town,” said Andrew Field, Berwick Tennis Club’s Secretary.

“You don’t have to be a tennis club member to take part in Jo’s session. Simply get in touch with me and come along and learn how best to facilitate play with young players.”

The amateur club, which was been established in the town in 1914, is currently resurfacing its Pier Fields double courts for the new season starting in April.

Anyone interested in attending the FREE two-hour course should get in touch with Andrew at andrewfield3@me.com.  

Parents wanting their children to attend the club’s Easter camps should contact Hazel direct at rwtennis@btinternet.com or call 0794 135 0580.