TENNIS FOUNDATION PRIMARY SCHOOLS ROADSHOW 2018

The Tennis Foundation, in conjunction with Totally Tennis, visited ten local schools in Basingstoke last week to give over 1000 key stage 1 children an introduction to tennis in fun short mini tennis sessions. The week long roadshow culminated in two Tennis Open Days at the Indoor Centre over the weekend where the children got to practice their new skills on real tennis courts with all the coaching staff.

The tennis roadshow is an amazing opportunity for local schools to give their pupils a chance to try tennis during the school day on specially set up mini tennis courts using smaller rackets and lower bouncing balls. All the children involved were then invited to visit the club’s free Open Weekend to practice what they have learnt in three fun sessions.

Totally Tennis has a very successful mini tennis programme for junior players from the age of four and all the children at the roadshow have been offered follow-on opportunities to play regularly at the club in the Pirates, Indians, Dodgers and Giants squads that make up the Junior Development programme. Mini tennis is not only fun but also helps young players to develop agility, balance and coordination skills and learn a sport that can be continued throughout their live.

Head coach James McIntosh said’ “Over the two days 200 children from all different schools around Basingstoke came down to the indoor centre for the open weekend.” He added, ” It was a great weekend with fun activities and it was good to see so many children trying tennis for the first time.”

The schools involved were Castle Hill (Rooksdown), Rucstall Primary, Castle Hill (Winlebury), Cliddesden Primary School, Great Binfields Primary, Sherborne St John, Winklebury, Manorfield Primary School, St Bedes and North Waltham Primary.

The Tennis Foundation is Britain’s leading tennis charity that strives to make sport inclusive and accessible to everyone. The aim is to provide opportunities to encourage people to maximise their potential through tennis by working closely with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and a wide range of partners from across all sectors to deliver their vision and aim. For more information visit www.tennisfoundation.org.uk

For more information about the junior squad programme telephone 01256 358816 or e-mail tt@totallytennis.co.uk or visit our website here and read all our latest news on our blog here

Thanks to coach Jamie for all the great photos (follow Jamie www.instagram.com/jamiejordantennis/)

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October Half Term Camps

It may seem like schools have just gone back after the long summer holidays but the October half term is already rapidly approaching. Are you looking for healthy alternative for your children in the school holidays where they will have lots of fun and learn a new sport? Totally Tennis has just the answer, the Tennis and Multi-sport camps are the perfect to keep children active whilst having lots of fun, learn a new sport and making new friends.

Packed with opportunities to play tennis and other sports such as basketball, football, hockey and rounders, the sessions will take place at the Indoor Centre in the War Memorial Park, Basingstoke. Camps will running all week from Monday 22nd – Friday 26th October from 9.00am – 4.00pm (full day*) and bookable in various options (morning, afternoon and full-day).

Tennis camps are great fun and include lots of games and mini-competitions for both new and experienced players alike for all children aged four to fifteen years. It’s a safe environment with Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) fully qualified, licensed and experienced coaches and the centre has OFSTED accreditation.

For more information about the school holiday programme held at Totally Tennis please call 01256 358816, e-mail tt@totallytennis.co.uk or visit our www.totallytennis.co.uk

*Children must be five years and over to stay all day at Tennis Camps.

Tennis Tips | Tip 31: Attacking a Short Ball

Follow the weekly tennis tips by Totally Tennis Head Coach James McIntosh to improve your game.

Tip 31: Attacking a short ball

Try to take the ball early at the top of the bounce with your contact point higher. This will allow you to be more aggressive and give the opponent less time which will put them under more pressure.

Wrong: Contact point is too low

Correct: Contact point higher

Read all the previous tips in the Tennis Tip tab – totallytennis.wordpress.com/tennis-tips/

 

 

 

 

September in Pictures

Totally Tennis squads restarted for the Autumn term

Performance player and former Sherfield School Tennis Scholar Liam Hignett has joined the Totally Tennis coaching team during his gap year where he will be working with both adults and juniors in various sessions

Performance player Dean Cooper Kirby has made the permanent move to America’s sunshine state to live and train full-time at the Gomez Tennis Academy in Naples, Florida.

Gevin, Guhan and Nikesh were the Totally Tennis 10 and under Mixed team who competed in the first match of the Hampshire & IOW Winter Junior League 2018 – 2019 Performance squad fitness session

Coaches Ben Jubin and Steph Catlin won the 2018 Basingstoke League Tournament Mixed Title 

Liam Hignett is competing in a series of high profile and ITF pro-circuits tournaments across the countrySaturday morning Munchkin Club

Totally Tennis’ World’s Biggest Coffee Morning aid of Macmillan Cancer Support

Hayden, Nikesh and twins Gevin and Guhan beat Portsmouth Tennis Academy in their second match in the 10 and under Mixed team Hampshire & IOW Winter Junior League 2018 – 2019 

September Tennis Tips – click HERE for all the Tennis Tips to date

 

Win for Boys in Portsmouth

The Totally Tennis 10 and under Mixed team competed in their second match of the Hampshire & IOW Winter Junior League 2018 – 2019 against Portsmouth Tennis Academy today.

The team of Hayden Cummings, Nikesh Bomer and twins Gevin and Guhan Chendhilkumar travelled to Portsmouth with coach Jamie Jordan. In the singles Nikesh won 4-0, 4-1 Gevin won 4-0, 4-0 Guhan lost 4-0, 4-1 and Hayden lost 4-0, 4-1 so the team had a 3-1 lead going into the doubles. Hayden and Guhan lost their match 4-1, 5-3 and Nikesh and Gevin won 4-0, 4-2 then in the shootout Nikesh and Hayden won 10-7 in singles to win the fixture.

Jordan said, “It’s amazing how the boys have become a team in a individual sport and all cheered and supported each other all the way through the competition.”

Other teams competing in the league are David Lloyd Southampton A, David Lloyd Southampton B, Winchester Racquets and Fitness and Portsmouth Tennis Academy. Totally Tennis’ next match is home against Winchester Racquets & Fitness on 29th October.

Tennis Tips | Tip 30: Hitting A Backhand Down The Line

Follow the weekly tennis tips by Totally Tennis Head Coach James McIntosh designed to improve your game.

Tip 30:  Hitting A Backhand Down The Line

When you hit your backhand down the line make sure you are sideways on and step into the court with your front foot, this will help you control the direction and get your weight transferring forward.

Wrong: Not standing sideways on

Correct: Sideways on ready to step forward and transfer weight in the direction of the ball

Read all the previous tips in the Tennis Tip tab – totallytennis.wordpress.com/tennis-tips/

Tennis Tips | Tip 29: Hitting A Low Volley

Follow the weekly tennis tips by Totally Tennis Head Coach James McIntosh designed to improve your game.

Tip 29: Hitting A Low Volley

When your opponent hits the ball low to your feet when at the net make sure you use a chopper grip and open up your racket face to hit the ball up.

Wrong: Closed racket face

Correct: Knees bent and racket face open

Read all the previous tips in the Tennis Tip tab – totallytennis.wordpress.com/tennis-tips/