During the Wimbledon tournament, the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) and The All England Lawn Tennis Club collaborated to organize free community tennis events at Wimbledon Park. The initiative, known as “Middle Saturday Opened Up.” Aimed to bring the local community together while highlighting the importance of park courts. In making tennis accessible and promoting the physical and mental health benefits of community tennis.
The event featured tennis sessions for people of all ages and skill levels. Facilitated by coaches from the LTA and the AELTC’s Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative. This initiative introduces tennis to children in schools throughout Merton and Wandsworth over the course of the year. Even legendary doubles pairing Bob and Mike Bryan participated in a morning LTA Youth session alongside their families.
Middle Saturday Opened Up at @Wimbledon 🤗
— LTA (@the_LTA) July 9, 2023
Saturday July 8th saw the return of the special event, bringing tennis to the local community at Wimbledon Park courts 💚
Hundreds of children took part in LTA Youth sessions, in collaboration with the All England Lawn Tennis Club 🎾 pic.twitter.com/BAreVhELCI
LTA Youth sessions, which are designed to be fun, safe, inclusive, and competitive, focus on progressive coaching. Although content to develop both tennis skills and character traits in children aged 4-18.
In addition to LTA Youth activities, the event also included cardio tennis, learning disability tennis coaching, and a trial of a new parks tennis program. Several of the courts used for the event were recently renovated as part of the LTA’s Park Tennis Project. This project involves the LTA Tennis Foundation and the UK Government investing in the refurbishment of 1,000 park courts across Britain.
John Golding, the LTA’s Head of Region for London, Southeast, and East, expressed the value of such sessions in providing opportunities for people of all abilities and disabilities to play tennis. To develop their understanding of the sport while learning important life lessons.
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