Chippenham based tennis coach Sam Hull has been awarded £1,720 by the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) Play Tennis Fund to deliver free coaching and participation programmes at Marshfield Tennis Club (MTC) and Biddestone Tennis Club.
Aimed at beginners and players returning to the game, aged between 14 and 25, MTC Coaching will offer a Tennis Xpress introductory course and a ‘return to tennis’ course at both clubs during the spring, and the school Easter holidays. Upon completion of the course, players will receive a discounted membership offer at their chosen club for the following summer months and remainder of the tennis year.
As well as providing more access to tennis to those living in the local area, it is hoped that the programme will help Marshfield Tennis Club attract more young adults to join the club, and that a sustainable coaching programme can be established at Biddestone Tennis Club.
Sam Hull, the Head Coach at MTC, said, “I am delighted that we have been awarded this funding. It will make a real difference to tennis in Chippenham. We are all about getting more players on court and providing them with quality coaching and positive experiences. In 2016 the Tennis For Kids programme was a huge success in Marshfield so applying to the LTA’s Play Tennis Fund seemed like another great opportunity. I am very excited that the LTA was able to share my vision for growing the game in Wiltshire and has offered us this backing. This funding is out there and I would definitely recommend that coaches come up with a plan for their club and apply for this support.”
Zoe Bambridge, LTA South West Participation Manager, added, “We’re really pleased to have awarded this funding to Sam and his coaching team. On the back of the success of Andy Murray and Jo Konta, we’d really encourage any young people to pick up a racket and get playing. Tennis is a sport that can offer people so much and we are passionate about getting more people back on court. This is a great opportunity to give tennis a go for free at two fantastic clubs in Chippenham.”
For more information about the upcoming courses at Marshfield or Biddestone Tennis Clubs, contact Sam Hull on email hidden; JavaScript is required or via his coaching Facebook page www.facebook.com/SAMarshfield/