Children aged 6-9 in Årby and Skiftinge are being given an amazing opportunity to learn how to play tennis in 2011 and 2012.
And it’s almost free.
The TK Hobby has decided to scour the residential areas closest to the tennis hall – Årby and Skiftinge – for beginners and potential tennis stars.
Both girls and boys.
The initiative is called We Love Tennis! and will start in the spring.
“The important thing for us is that those who apply to the summer tennis school after having given tennis a try really want to learn how to play tennis, it doesn’t matter how good they are,” says Petri Pannula, who is responsible for the club’s expanding tennis school.
“We’re aiming primarily at 6-9-year-olds, but if there’s enough room those aged ten or over can join in.”
In spring 2011 and 2012 those in years 1-3 will be able to try their hand at tennis at school. Then over 100 children aged 6-9 will have the opportunity to play tennis all summer long at TK Hobby’s tennis facility on Vagnmakarevägen, which is a short cycling distance from Ica Maxi in Skiftinge.
The plan is to have both mixed groups of beginners with male or female coaches, and special groups for girls led by female coaches. Whichever group you are in, you learn the basics such as forehand, backhand and volley, what is meant by fair play and how to tidy up a tennis court after play.
The club’s coaches, one of whom speaks Arabic, will cycle together with those unable to make their own way to the tennis hall from specified collection points in Årby and Skiftinge. Children who do not have their own cycle helmet are provided with one by the tennis club.
The "taster" game in school is absolutely free. The summer tennis school costs only SEK 100, and also includes membership, a T-shirt and a water bottle. The club provides racquets and balls. All you need to provide are good, non-marking sports shoes and appropriate sports clothes.
In the event of wet weather, coaching takes place indoors.
“We hope that a lot of parents will help out as auxiliary coaches and with other activities, which include a barbecue event,” says Petri Pannula.
After the taster session, anyone interested can apply to the summer tennis school. The hope is that many participants at the summer tennis school will then continue with TK Hobby’s regular tennis school in the autumn.
This initiative will take place in 2011 and 2012.