Nottingham Tennis Centre is working hard to produce the next generation of Johanna Kontas and Andy Murrays with a programme of events, activities and school visits to encourage young people to take up tennis.
Those keen to have a go should pop down to the Old Market Square on Saturday (20 May) between 10am – 5pm when there will be mini courts set up and the coaches will be on hand to offer some pointers and to talk about the Aegon Open tournament coming in June. This is free of charge and equipment is provided.
The Aegon Open returns to Nottingham from June 10-18 with a week of international tennis action as top male and female players prepare for their grass season which culminates in the Championships at Wimbledon.
On Saturday 27 May from 1.30 to 3.30, there is an open day at Nottingham Tennis Centre. This is aimed at children aged three to ten with little tennis experience and will include some fun games and drills as well.
The centre’s coaching team is currently visiting local schools, providing coaching and fun games to get young people involved in playing and to show parents how much fun they can have.
Last year’s schools programme was delivered in 20 schools and this year the programme has been extended to cover 46. Each school receives four weeks of coaching for two hours each time as well as a roadshow for all school years. Schools are invited to be part of the Aegon Open schools festival programme which runs during the tournament.
Cllr Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture said: “We’re really looking forward to a summer of great tennis and we’d love to welcome as many people as possible down to Nottingham Tennis Centre to watch the action at the Aegon Open but also to come and play at other times. The tennis programme is a great way to keep fit and make friends. The open events are a really good way of finding out whether tennis is for you.”