British tennis legend Tim Henman visits Chestnut Park
British tennis legend Tim Henman visited our school last week to inspire our budding tennis stars.
The former British number one visited Chestnut as part of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Youth Tennis programme, a new and innovative junior scheme aimed at kids aged 4-18. It is hoped that this scheme will help more children enjoy the benefits of playing and staying in tennis, whatever their age, gender, ability, disability, or background.
Our school was encouraged by the Tim Henman Foundation and GLF Schools - the Multi-Academy Trust that we are part of - to take up the LTA's offer of free online teacher training as part of the LTA Youth Schools programme, which forms part of the wider LTA Youth children’s proposition and is delivered across both primary and secondary schools.
Jak Martin, Foundation Lead at GLF Schools' Foundation, which will provide opportunities for our young people to have exposure to opportunities and experiences regardless of their financial background, said: “The GLF Schools' Foundation tennis programme has been a great success at Chestnut Park. Students and staff are thoroughly enjoying having the opportunity to take part in these expertly delivered tennis sessions. “To have the partnership with Tim Henman’s Foundation and the LTA to provide this experience is something that we are looking to develop into other GLF Schools to increase exposure to tennis and its benefits.”
After registering to LTA Youth Schools, our school completed the Primary teacher training course and received a £250 voucher, an incentive for completing the training, which we chose to use for 10 hours of team teaching with a local LTA Accredited Coach. Following this, and to help the pupils continue their tennis journey beyond their PE sessions, The Tim Henman Foundation provided funding for all 592 pupils to take part in an LTA Youth Start course, developed as the perfect introductory course for kids aged between 4 and 11 who are new to tennis.
LTA Youth Start is delivered by coaches at tennis clubs, parks and other venues around the country, and includes six progressive and fun sessions with a trained LTA Youth Start coach, plus a free tennis racket, set of balls, and branded t-shirt for each child.
Last Thursday’s event was the third of the six LTA Youth Start coaching sessions that will be delivered to pupils by coaches from MDL Coaching through to April.
Tim said: "The Tim Henman Foundation is delighted to fund the delivery of the tennis programme at Chestnut Park Primary School in partnership with GLF Schools and the LTA. Sporting opportunities in the areas that need it most is what we are about".
Luke Digweed, Participation Development Partner at the LTA added: “The LTA Youth Schools programme is a great opportunity to get pupils playing and learning through tennis and it is fantastic that the teachers at Chestnut Park Primary School have completed the training to open tennis up to its pupils. “It is fantastic that The Tim Henman Foundation were able to provide Chestnut Park Primary School with the additional funding for pupils to continue their tennis introduction through the LTA Youth Start programme, and it was brilliant to have Tim at the school for this session.”
