Tennis taster sessions funded through the Somerset LTA and backed by King Alfred’s Jean Paul Hoskins and Sarah Musset were run throughout the month of March with the first one being done in East Brent Junior School.  This first session, taken by Vinny Duddy (Avenue Tennis Head Coach) and Craig Phillips (Trainee Coach) was on one of the best days in March with the sun shining, birds singing and the wonderful backdrop of Brent Knoll. 

The sessions went down so well that Mrs Nicky Elsom (Head Teacher) asked if it was possible if she could send one of year groups down to the Avenue Tennis Club to experience the sport in a proper tennis environment. 

Year Group 3 turned up in a coach from the school along with teacher Mrs Cox, assistants Mrs Right and Mrs Crocker raring to go.  Coaches Vinny and Craig then took them through a series of warm ups exercises, racket drills and skills followed by games aimed at exercising what the children had learned during the session. 

Craig and Vinny were really pleased with the outcome and in the final game of the day (“Jailbreak – where children have to complete a forehand and backhand stroke over and in.  Failure to do results in them going to jail and waiting to be released by one of their friends succeeding in the task and then the Jailbreak takes place with the Jailors (the teachers) firing balls at the prisoners to stop them escaping).

During one of the early team sessions Craig and his team pictured, managed to win against the other three teams by successfully circuiting the court and not having any problems with their East Brent Hamburgers.

Head coach Duddy said that this was an excellent day and really useful for the kids as they were in the right environment to learn to play tennis safely and with enough space to swing rackets and hit tennis balls.  One of the assistants whose daughter attended the session was surprised that the membership fees were so cheap for juniors at £25, £35 or £42 per year, age dependant – with all junior members eligible to attend Vinny’s Minis on Friday nights for free.

Vinny and Craig were both moved by the kindness of the children who attended the sessions as they all wrote letters to them with drawings thanking them for the session.

The next Junior Tennis Camp will be run during the May school holidays, bookings 1 week or on a daily basis can be done through the office on 01278 782758.

If you want any details about membership or other coaching courses which run throughout the week at the Avenue Tennis Club then please contact Head Coach, Vinny Duddy on 01278 782758 – www.avenuetennis.co.uk.