Norfolk has a strong connection with schools, including an annual festival, workshops and training pathways. These acitivities provide opportunity of fun, enjoyable and competitive tennis for pupils and teachers at the appropriate playing standard. 

LTA YOUTH SCHOOLS PROGRAMME

Norfolk Tennis is proud to be able to say that 102 primary and 25 secondary teachers have now attended the two-hour online LTA Teacher Training workshop. On completing the workshop, schools can then decide whether to receive £250 worth of FREE equipment or receive £250 worth of coaching with a local affiliated club coach.

Many schools already have established club links but in more rural areas in particular we have managed to create the connection. The teacher training scheme continues to run throughout 2023, and for more information please visit the website. 

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Norfolk LTA runs the annual Mini Tennis Schools Championships in Norfolk. The competition continues with the 8 School Sports Partnerships in Norfolk continuing to host local events that feed into the county finals.

Partnership events are also offering a festival style introduction for Year 1/2 pupils alongside the competition for Year 3/4. In total this event provided over 500 pupils the opportunity to play tennis in a club environment for the first time.

The county finals coincided with the first day of Wimbledon with 128 pupils from 32 different schools taking part. The event has attracted attention from BBC TV and BBC Radio Norfolk, and was hosted at the UEA Sportspark.

We are delighted to say that this competition will again take place in 2024. Please contact Norfolk Tennis Schools Officer, Stu Silvester on news@norfolktennis.org if you would like your school to be involved.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Throughout the 2023 summer term, LTA Level 5 Master Performance Coach Stu Silvester delivered LTA Youth Tennis Leaders coaches to the following schools:  Hethersett Academy, Thorpe St Andrew School, Ormiston Victory Academy, Iceni Academy, Cromer Academy, West Norfolk School Sports Partnership.

The three-hour course was delivered face-to-face in-school, providing pupils with basic coaching skills (LTA Youth), the knowledge to run a competition and how to create and manage a safe coaching environment

Approx 150 boys and girls from Years 8/9/10 took part and were all invited to be part of the Norfolk Tennis Leadership pathway, This pathway supports pupils with extra training to take the next step in coaching and become a LTA Level 1 Tennis Assistant.

For more information regarding this support please contact Donna Andrews on donna@tennisforlife.co.uk.

Personal Development Pathway

The Personal Development Pathway (PDP) began in 2021 developing from the LTA ‘She Rallies’ programme. It is supported by Norfolk Tennis and WimX and designed for females aged 14+ years. It aims to give girls confidence and experience in developing leadership skills. Skills are developed within their own tennis venue working with their coach.

The programme is led by Donna Andrews and involves undertaking the Tennis Leaders course and helping at their venue and/or events. Progression is the Introduction to Level 1 Taster (4 hours) at 15 years old and then when 16 years old the LTA Tennis Assistant (Level1) qualification can be taken (2 full days)

The first 2 years saw 50 females starting the pathway. Several of these now have their Tennis Assistant qualification and two are currently on the Tennis Instructor (Level 2) course.

2023 – Another successful year with the first female only Assistant Coach course to be held in Norfolk. This was fully subscribed with 16 females signed up.

If you would like to know more about this excellent programme please contact Donna Andrews 07714474153