AEGON Schools Tennis

As a leading life and pensions company, we understand the importance of investing for the future. When it comes to the future of British tennis we passionately believe that grass-roots development is vital to the sport’s future success. The AEGON Schools Tennis programme is a key part of our support for grass-roots tennis.

Through the AEGON Schools Tennis programme, we’re working with the Tennis Foundation and the LTA to introduce more children across the UK to tennis and develop the core skills to encourage them to continue playing. Our map shows the schools that have received their pack and teacher training already with many more planned over the coming years.

The benefits for schools and students

AEGON Schools Tennis is designed to tackle barriers that might restrict tennis’ availability at some schools. At primary level these can include equipment shortages, concerns about space, and low teacher confidence when it comes to teaching tennis skills.

Through AEGON Schools Tennis, we’re helping to provide schools with free equipment bags including rackets, balls and nets, as well as an innovative pupil-facing training DVD. Teachers are also offered dedicated training courses run by the Tennis Foundation and the LTA, to help them make the most of the coaching DVD and provide them with the confidence to teach tennis skills. So far, over 20,000 teachers and coaches have been trained. Check out our LTA video to see the programme in action

Starting young

Tom Gibbins, Head of Education at the Tennis Foundation, commented:

‘Enabling more children to pick up a racket is a key priority for British Tennis. AEGON Schools Tennis provides the resources and support necessary for teachers to deliver tennis at all levels.’

Fiona Rigby, the headteacher of St Catherine's Catholic Primary School which became the 10,000th school to participate in the programme earlier this year, commented:

‘We want to make teaching the basics of tennis a priority at the school and I’m sure the children will all benefit from the top-quality, free equipment we have received. The teachers have also really benefited from the training and DVD provided.

'It’s one of our aims to get more children playing tennis and this programme has enabled us to be able to offer that.’

Helping more schools

In 2010, a new range of resources especially for secondary schools was launched. These include a specialist training DVD for teachers and lesson plans for traditional and adapted ‘mini tennis’ sessions, which can help beginners progress quickly. There are also cross-curricular resources that teachers can use to support learning in other subject areas.

AEGON Schools Tennis kits given out in each region

Feedback from teachers

'Fantastic, well-delivered course. Full of practical examples and ideas. I am now teaching tennis for the first time!'

'Because of the lack of finances at our school we have been unable to provide a good standard of teaching tennis. However with the fantastic free resources, all children in the school have benefited.'

Joining the AEGON Schools Tennis programme

Schools wishing to participate in the AEGON Schools Tennis programme can find more information here

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