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.
Over 2,000,000 school kids reached
Over 15,000 Aegon Schools Tennis kits distributed across Britain
Nearly 800,000 tennis balls given out
Over 400,000 rackets put in the hands of school kids
(Given to schools as part of the Aegon Schools Tennis programme between April 2009 and March 2013.)
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. Now over 15,000 schools are part of the programme, which in 2013 deservedly earned recognition by winning the 'Best Secondary Resource non-ICT' award at the British Educational Suppliers Association Education Resources Awards.
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 26,000 teachers and coaches have been trained (as at February 2013).
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.
‘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.’
Tom Gibbins, Head of Education at the Tennis Foundation
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.'
Our map shows the schools that have received their pack and teacher training already with many more planned over the coming years. We now support over 15,000 schools (as at March 2013).