A TENNIS club has got behind a national campaign to get more girls into sport with a series of subsidised sessions.
Romsey and Abbey Tennis Club is launching its first set of girls-only beginners courses in April as part of the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) ‘youth girls’ project with Prime Video.
To support the initiative the Romsey club, by Romsey Rapids in Southampton Road, is providing courses for girls aged four to 16, starting with under-eights sessions from April 19.
Club development coach Veronica Broughton-Shaw is leading the series. She said: “There’s a real gap between the number of boys versus girls playing tennis. You get the very little girls but then participation drops off during teenage years and puberty and then again when women get into their careers and start having families.
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“Romsey is very much a community club and we’re all about engaging with all groups of people. Women aren’t as well represented as they should be and that’s why the LTA is focusing on them and particularly on girls past primary age.
“We’re quite lucky here because we have a female coach and a broad mix of people which makes it less intimidating. Getting people on the court is the first challenge but we’re confident that when people are here they will see that is great fun and a place to make friends in a safe environment.”
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The club is considering ways to make the sessions more appealing such as music to make the activity feel more like dance or cardio.
Starting with the under eights, the tennis team hopes get girls interested early and broaden participation. Sessions will then be offered for other age groups for girls of primary and secondary school age.
Courses cost £35 for six sessions, a racket, kit and tennis balls. Veronica added: “It’s a significant subsidy and a very good introductory offer as its often the equipment and socio-economic factors that are a barrier for tennis. Here at Romsey we try the best we can to make sure that’s not an issue.”
The first course is nearly fully booked so the club is hoping to add more sessions. To book go to lta.org.uk/play/book-a-youth-lesson/youth-class/prime-video-lta-youth-girls-intro-course.
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