The Lansdown Tennis, Squash & Croquet Club has formed a new collaboration with Weston All Saints CE Primary School, giving local pupils the chance to experience tennis in a supportive and inspiring setting.
The partnership is being delivered through the club’s Lansdown Foundation and focuses on widening access to sport for children who may not otherwise have the opportunity.
Once a week, eight pupils from the school, a mix of Year 5 and Year 6 girls and boys, visit the club for an hour-long coaching session with one of Lansdown’s qualified coaches.
All of the pupils involved are pupil-premium eligible, and for most of them it was their first time picking up a tennis racket.
Jordan Taylor, PE coordinator at Weston All Saints CE Primary School, said, “I’ve been really impressed by the progress the pupils have made in just a few months with their tennis skills. They really look forward to the tennis session every week at Lansdown and it’s been a highlight of the week for everyone.
“It’s great to see these children enjoying being active, learning new skills and starting to play with increasing confidence. It’s fantastic that they are being given this opportunity and we are very grateful to Lansdown Tennis, Squash & Croquet Club and its members.”
The sessions focus on fun, confidence-building and basic tennis skills, helping pupils to develop coordination, teamwork and a positive relationship with physical activity.
Stephanie Bryan, club manager at Lansdown Tennis, Squash & Croquet Club, said, “The Lansdown Foundation was set up to build stronger links within the community, and to be able to provide tennis coaching and facilities for Weston All Saints in this way is a great first step.
“The children have come on in leaps and bounds in such a short amount of time. It’s great to see, and we’re really looking forward to this collaboration continuing for many years to come.”
Both the club and the school hope the partnership will inspire pupils to stay active, try new sports and build confidence that extends well beyond the tennis court.
