Tennis is a hit with students as Alnwick Tennis Club serve up the goods
Children from two primary schools in Alnwick have been introduced to the sport of tennis, just in time for the start of Wimbledon.
Whilst the football World Cup may be catching all the headlines at the moment, Wimbledon is once again just around the corner and for two schools in Alnwick, that means an introduction to the sport of tennis.
Made possible by Alnwick Tennis Club and Ralph Windwood, a Level 3 tennis coach and former PE teacher, Hipsburn and King Edward Primary Schools enjoyed a half-term of tennis lessons - with both schools expressing a desire to add the sport into their PE curriculum next year.
An after school tennis club was also introduced at Hipsburn, one that proved so popular it rapidly became full.
Speaking about the tennis sessions run by Mr Windwood, Ellie Cromarty, a teacher at Hipsburn Primary School, said: “Hipsburn pupils enjoyed an outstanding half-term of tennis teaching delivered by Ralph.
“During the sessions, pupils developed the fundamental skills needed to play tennis with confidence.
“They were introduced to key techniques such as the ‘ready’ position and took part in a range of engaging activities designed to build their coordination and control.
“The lessons were carefully structured, progressing from basic movement skills to using a ball, then a racket and finally playing over a net. By the end of the block, Key Stage 2 children were able to play a rally over the net, an impressive achievement that reflects the quality of the teaching.”
Via the help of a parent, Hipsburn also succeeded in getting an award by the National Lawn Tennis Association of a £250 voucher which was used to buy tennis equipment.
Alnwick Tennis Club have also helped pupils at Barndale House School by granting them access to their equipment and courts.
Some pupils at that school had expressed a desire to see tennis added to their PE curriculum, but the school had neither the space or resources to accommodate those requests.
Duchess’s Community High School will also play tennis this summer and will take part in an introductory session at Alnwick Tennis Club on Friday 10 July - the same day that the Gentlemen’s Singles semi-finals at Wimbledon will take place.