HSRC is delighted to announce that we have secured grant funding for 12 months of walking tennis coaching on Holt tennis courts!  The funding is being provided by the Wiltshire Community Foundation under their Older People’s Programme.

Walking tennis was introduced in Holt in May 2024 and to date has involved around a dozen players of varying abilities, mostly aged over 65, and all keen to continue or return to regular recreational activities. Some have been recovering from poor health, injury or just wanted greater social contact with others through sport. 

This grant funding will allow the programme to continue, and grow, through wider promotion of the course through Wiltshire and Swindon Sport activities for older adults and Wiltshire Council activities for adults.

Regular weekly sessions (weather dependent) will allow spaces for more people to participate on a regular basis.  In accordance with the grant funding conditions, the programme is focused primarily on people aged 65+.

Ian Gibbons, Chair of HSRC said: “we are so pleased that we have received this funding from the Wiltshire Community Foundation to recognize the success of our walking tennis programme so far and to let us now grow it into a regular weekly event for older people, not just in Holt but the wider Wiltshire community”.

Jamie Butt, LTA accredited tennis coach at Holt Sports Courts said: “I am looking forward to using this grant from Wiltshire Community Foundation to introduce more older  people to the joys and benefits of walking tennis.  As the coach for the programme I will ensure that I understand the physical and mental needs of all participants, especially those new to walking tennis.  The programme will be inclusive, fun, and make a difference to those older people participating”.

The walking tennis coaching programme will commence in early 2025, subject to weather conditions, and continue throughout 2025.  More information on dates, timings and how to secure a place will be available here on the HSRC website.