DUKES MEADOWS WINS LTA SCHOOL TENNIS AWARD FOR DEDICATION TO COMMUNITY TENNIS PROGRAMME
Dukes Meadows Tennis, based in Chiswick, London, has scooped the 2013 LTA Middlesex School Tennis Award. The award, which is in its first year, was presented to Dukes Meadows in partnership with Sports Impact to celebrate the success of its ongoing commitment to introducing tennis in the Hounslow area through its Schools Delivery programme.
The joint programme started in 2008 and in the past year alone has delivered tennis sessions free of charge to over 4,000 children in 60 Primary Schools. Each school received a block of 6 tennis coaching sessions delivered by LTA qualified coaches from Dukes Meadows. Dukes Meadows provides over £100,000 worth of tennis development activity in the borough every year, which helps children to develop agility, balance and coordination skills.
John Love, Middlesex Tennis Development Officer said:
"The schools programme being delivered by Dukes Meadow and Sports Impact is of the highest quality and is providing a massive boost to schools tennis in the area. Tennis is a great game for children of all ages and abilities to mix and enjoy a fun activity whilst building on their general fitness. Let’s hope Dukes Meadows & Sports Impact will continue their great work in our schools and help to find the next Wimbledon champion.”
The LTA and Tennis Foundation appreciate that school tennis is an integral part of introducing new players to the game, and the award recognised the part Dukes Meadows & Sports Impact have played in offering an introduction to children in London borough of Hounslow. Figures show that 60% of all adults had their first experience of tennis whilst at school, so it is important that their early introduction to the game is a positive one.
In addition to delivering the schools programme, Dukes Meadows is the home of the UK's leading tennis academy: FC** Tennis and provides elite training to the country’s top aspiring young players.
James Lenton, Director of the FC** Tennis Academy, who received the award on behalf of Dukes Meadows said:
“It’s wonderful the hard work of our coaches has been recognised by the LTA. The programme has been a wonderful success since it started and we are delighted by the numbers of children in the Hounslow area who have shown a real passion for tennis.”
Additionally, in June Sports Impact & Dukes Meadows organised a year 3/4 schools competition attended by 450 players from 50 local schools. This was the biggest schools competition in Middlesex and as far as we are aware in the country. At this event a new Guinness World Record was achieved for bouncing a tennis ball on a racket for 10 seconds. A lasting memory to all those that took part.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Dukes Meadows Schools Delivery Tennis Programme
The initiative in partnership with Hounslow Council offers free in-curriculum tennis coaching to every primary school in the Hounslow borough. As a result the programme provides free tennis to around 4,000 children per year. The programme runs over six weeks at a 10 pupil to 1 coach ratio.
Within the sessions pupils are helped to develop their agility, balance, coordination and speed so they improve as athletes. This is done under the umbrella of tennis with clear tennis influences running throughout the 6 weeks.
All the schools which have experienced the tennis programme are offered the opportunity to send their teachers on a free LTA approved teacher training course. For attending this course the schools receive a free equipment pack and delivery resources so tennis can continue to be delivered within the school when the Dukes Meadows programme has finished.
About FC** Tennis
Dukes Meadows is also the home of the UK's most experienced tennis academy - FC** Tennis.
Based at Dukes Meadows, FC** Tennis is a High Performance centre which was formed in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) over 10 years ago. The elite junior academy provides an integrated programme of educational and sporting development and is led by James Lenton a top ten British senior before his retirement aged 21. James has many years experience as an LTA National coach, having coached some of the best names in British Tennis winning national and international junior titles.
About Dukes Meadows
TENNIS
The tennis facilities offer 5 hard indoor courts, which were resurfaced in February 2013, and 4 outdoor clay courts, together with a purpose built tennis academy section.
Dukes Meadows is the home of the UK's leading elite academy: FC** tennis. Pay and play tennis is available to all age groups and standards, children and adults. Total beginners to professional players. A full calendar of coaching courses, tournaments and events is available.
GOLF
Dukes Meadows Golf features a beautiful 9-hole par 3 course and 50 bay floodlit driving range (including a custom club fitting bay and a digital video tuition studio). In addition, there is a 5-hole teaching academy course, short game practice area and practice putting green. A team of 10 experienced PGA Pros are on hand for instruction and to offer advice in the well-stocked pro shop.
SkiPlex
The chance to go skiing or snowboarding just minutes from central London. The facility at Dukes Meadows was the first of its kind in the UK. Similar to a treadmill in a gym, you remain still as the mountain moves underneath you. Ski for hours – no time wasted in lifts.
The Skiplex is available to all age groups and standards, children and adults. Total beginners to expert skiers. All skis, snowboards, boots, helmets etc provided where necessary together with its qualified ski instructors
For more information visit the website at: www.dukesmeadows.com
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