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Leisureworks Tennis Development Scheme is 'Game, Set, Match'

A community sports coaching initiative has praised the Tony Blair Sports Foundation for its work developing grass roots tennis. Through a partnership with Leisure Works and the Derwentside Tennis Development Scheme, the Foundation has been able to support 10 new volunteers which include students Marc Rowles, Martin Hall, Graham Trotter, Liam Talyor, William Hayes, Kieron Day and Jonathan Dodds through their Level 1 tennis coaching qualification; as well as 3 members, Dennis Laycock, Angela Page and Lisa Shaw from Lanchester Lawn Tennis Club and Shotley Bridge & Benfieldside Tennis Club .

In a letter to Jeanette Pickard, Chief Executive of the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, Michael Hume, Community Sports Coach with Leisure Works and Derwentside Tennis Development Scheme said:

"Without the support of the Foundation we would not have been able to deliver anywhere near the volume of tennis in the community and in curriculum school time."

Further development work has followed as Michael Hume explained,

"With the help of the Foundation we have also had 4 members of our team undertake the Lawn Tennis Association Level 2 courses. "

Jeanette Pickard, Chief Executive of the Foundation said:

"We have made a real difference here and we are proud of the work we have done so far. We are helping local clubs develop and achieve Clubmark status through helping recruit and train more sports coaches. In turn, the qualified coaches assist with community sessions and help out at the Tony Blair Sports Foundation Tennis Competition cluster events and the Derwentside School Year 5/6 Tennis Competition."

If you are interested in tennis and want to become a member of the Foundation, volunteering in your local community by supporting a local sports club and becoming a Level 1 qualified tennis coach, call us on 0191 2760640 or email info@tonyblairsportsfoundation.org