Overview
Our Community Projects aim to provide free and affordable playing opportunities to members of the local community who do not normally participate in tennis. We are looking to ‘grow the game’ and help to get more people participating at our local community facilities and in schools. Anyone that would like to be involved in these projects volunteering time towards coaching, competition organising or support in any other way can contact James Webber directly for further information – info@lifetimetennis.co.uk .
Current Projects
Lambeth and Wandsworth Housing Associations Project
Brockwell Park, King George's Park, Lambeth Academy
Lifetime Tennis is working in partnership with L & Q Housing Associationand Amicus Horizon to establish free playing opportunities across Lambeth and Wandsworth for juniors aged between 8 – 14 years. After a successful first term in Brockwell Park the program has now been expanded to 3 locations.
120 children from these Housing associations are participating in weekly tennis classes over a 12 week term.
Over 300 children will take part inthis program and we have seen great motivation from participants with many players trying to participate at an extra class each week. The program also has a competition element with all players offered Free British Tennis membership and the chance to obtain an LTA player rating. As we have achieved the Clubmark standard at the Club the LTA has supported this program significantly through funding for equipment and court fees.
The program has already been a great example of how different community stakeholders can partner together for an excellent result for children and tennis.
Our long term aim is to develop a sustainable junior and adult club program in Wandsworth and Lambeth open to everyone in the local community which will run in conjunction with our established community club programs in each area.
King George’s Park, Weekend Community Academy Project – Wandsworth
The Weekend Community Academy aims to bring all enthusiastic members of the tennis community together to promote junior tennis.
Selected participants from all the Lifetime Tennis Community programs will be invited to participate in one of the two workshops lasting five weeks run by Lifetime Tennis Director James Webber.
The workshops will also be run by local volunteer players that are wanting to help promote junior tennis and LTA coaching assistants that can gain valuable experience. All volunteers are CRB checked and agree to adhere to the Tennis Clubmark volunteer policy. Our enthusiastic Tennis Leaders will also be on hand to help assist in these sessions.
Lifetime Tennis Schools Community Academies – Swaffield Primary School
The aim of this project is to make tennis a more accessible sport within schools local to Lifetime Tennis Clubs. The goal is to expand the number of juniors from a diverse range of backgrounds that get regularly play a comprehensive on site tennis program that includes teacher training and offering better exit routes for children to continue playing at the nearest Lifetime Club.
The project requires the schools to agree to what the LTA describes as an advanced level school / club partnership ensuring that tennis becomes better integrated into everyday school life.
Our first term at Swaffield under this new project has been a great experience for the Club, teachers and most importantly the students. Tennis activities this term will includefree curriculum time coaching, out of school hours clubs (breakfast, lunchtime and after school), a school competition day , teacher training, participation in the local Borough Mini tennis competitions, affordable and accessible exit route opportunities to continue playing tennis outside of school.
We have further opportunities for schools to be involved in this project and encourage pro-active Heads and PE co-ordinators to get in touch with our Schools Coordinator Pia Jaime for further information – pia@lifetimetennis.co.uk.
