Tennis has grown into one of the major professional sports of the modern era. Although we invented a game called Real Tennis, the type of tennis we play today originated in France. Today there are hundreds of tournaments every year including the four major Grand Slam Tournaments of which Wimbledon is one.

GETTING STARTED

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) provides a step-by-step guide for getting started explaining the basic rules, the benefits of tennis and further general advice. The Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation also provides advice on playing the game and tips on staying fit.

Where can you play?

Most Local Authorities have courts or pay and play facilities, which areto the public throughout the year. You can also join private member clubs, most of which are affiliated to the LTA and welcome young members. Most clubs charge fees. The LTA has over 2,400 clubs scattered throughout the UK. All the LTA affiliated clubs are listed on the LTA website. Other directories, such as UK Tennis Clubs on the Web and Sport England also list tennis clubs that are not affiliated to the LTA; most clubs in the UK are affiliated to the LTA, although in Yorkshire there are several clubs that are not and have created their own league competitions. A club’s membership to the LTA guarantees certain standards, which may not be adhered to in other clubs. For example, the club’s coaches may not have taken the LTA coaching qualifications, and the club will not be able to compete in the LTA organised tournaments and competitions. County Development Officers (CDOs) can provide information about all the local tennis clubs in your area. The contact details for the LTA County Development Officers can be searched for by region at the LTA website. Each British County LTA has its own website. Sport Scotland provides a separate list of Scottish Sport Development Officers.

Equipment

The basics, unsurprisingly, are a tennis racket and some tennis balls. You can buy tennis rackets for as little as Ј35 and it is also possible to rent them. Some clubs do have a ‘whites’ dress code but each club will make this clear in their rules and regulations. The main sports manufacturers produce special tennis shoes.

Coaching

Coaching is available at most clubs at every level. LTA qualified coaches offer individual and group lessons. Your local club will be able to provide more details about what coaching is offered and the prices involved.

Mini Tennis

The LTA have now launched mini tennis to replace short tennis. Aimed at children aged four to 11, it is meant to be a good way to introduce your child to the sport, especially when he/she is not big enough to play on a full size court. Mini tennis is played with a scaled down racket, foam balls and a smaller court (similar in size to a Badminton court). It will have three levels, Red, Orange and Green, for children to progress through. By the Green stage players are using a full size court but using a slower ball.

Junior Tennis

Junior Tennis is geared towards 9 to 12 year olds, following on from mini tennis, with clubs organising competitions and activities to get and keep children in this age group involved. There is also a Junior Tennis membership scheme. Find out more from the LTA and see the Junior Tennis site for kids.

Junior Ace Membership

This is an LTA club designed for all five to 12 year olds. For Ј10 per year members receive a magazine, which includes coaching tips, pictures of stars of the game and puzzles. If you would like more information or would like to join, call .

TENNIS SCHEMES

Robinson’s Aces

This scheme, launched by the LTA and Robinson’s, is designed to bring more beginners aged five to 12 into tennis at a competitive level. Robinson’s Aces Centres have been set up at tennis clubs, schools and local authority courts, enabling children under 12 to play each other every week in supervised round-robin leagues. The Robinson’s Aces Challenge is aimed at under 10s, with over 6,000 children competing in a series of one-day tournaments.

Tennis Trail

The Tennis Trail, set up by the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation, is aimed at introducing tennis to more children. It targets areas where children may not normally get the chance to play tennis. A list of the 2003 venues for the Tennis Trail is available from the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation website.

The Nestle Ladder Competition

This scheme encourages competition for juniors and is available to all junior players in schools and clubs. The LTA website has more information and a registration form you can download.

TENNIS HOLIDAYS

Several companies offer tennis holidays for children. They range in format, with many taking place in the summer. The LTA provides a list of UK holiday contacts. These vary from specialised tennis holidays to adventure camps that include tennis as one of the sports on offer. Many also offer adult courses. In addition, the LTA provide a list of international holiday contacts. These holidays areto all ages and all levels. You can also search for a range of tennis holidays both in the UK and abroad at totaltennis.net.

GETTING SERIOUS

Joining a Team

Most clubs have teams participating in tournaments. Many clubs also run in-house competitions of their own.

Club Ratings

Once a member of a club that is a part of the LTA’s club ratings scheme, your child will be given an initial rating, based on what the assessor has seen of your child’s ability. The mechanics of the ratings system are explained by the LTA.

National Tournaments and Events

An LTA tennis rating will enable your child to compete in over 2,000 tournaments. The various types of LTA tournaments, including the Junior Age tournaments, the Junior Series tournaments, and the County Closed Junior Championships are explained by the LTA. The LTA also provide tournament guides particular to your area. This same page features LTA events, covering the Junior National Events for 2003.

International Tournaments and Events

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Circuit is a series of 18 and under events. The 2003 circuit isto players born between 1^st January 1985 and 31^stDecember 1990 and the 2004 circuit isto players born between 1^st January 1986 and 31^stDecember 1991. In order to qualify for the Junior Circuit your child will need to be either a member of an official team, or obtain written confirmation from your Association giving permission for your entry. Information about the junior circuit, the various tournaments, how tournaments are graded and what tournaments to focus on are available from the ITF Junior website.

Keeping Healthy

The ITF provides nutritional advice about a good diet before, during and after matches. They also include information on how to prevent injuries.

TENNIS SCHOLARSHIPS

Assessment Days

Assessment Days enable children to apply for a professional assessment of their tennis skills. They provide the opportunity for talented children to receive coaching and funding to further develop their tennis. More information about assessment days and application forms are available from the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation.

Scholarships

An application form with information about which British universities offer tennis scholarships and how to qualify is available from the LTA.

If your child is very talented there are also tennis scholarships to America to be won. The American collegiate system offers scholarships to 16 year-olds and over and welcomes players of all nationalities. There are over 1,100 US colleges and universities with tennis programmes.

TENNIS FOR DISABLED CHILDREN

The International Wheelchair Tennis Association, formally known as the International Disabled Tennis Online, has information about wheelchair tennis and future Wheelchair Tennis clinics. For more information contact the Wheelchair Tennis Department, c/o International Tennis Federation Ltd, Bank Lane, Roehampton, London, SW15 5XZ. Telephone: . E-mail: wheelchairtennis

The British Tennis Foundation is the official registered tennis charity, providing and supporting tennis playing opportunities for young people, disabled people and the community at large. See the BTF's information on wheelchair tennis, deaf tennis and learning disabilities, including sections on where to play, rules and equipment, competitions and awards schemes.

The National Wheelchair Tennis Association (look for 'Tennis' under 'Associations') works with the British Tennis Foundation to organise a range of activities including introductory camps for beginners, quads and juniors and tournaments at local, national and international level.

Information about the British Deaf Tennis Association (BDTA) is available on the British Tennis Foundation website. Alternatively, contact the British Deaf Sports Council at BDSC, PO Box 2232, Leagrave LU3 2YU. Telephone: .

The International Paralympic Committee has information about the rules and classifications of wheelchair tennis.

Get Kids Going is a charity, which helps young disabled people up to the age of 26 get involved in sports. They can provide disabled people with sports wheelchairs and the costs of sports training whether they are beginners and those competing for fun or serious competitors. If you are interested in receiving help please contact them for an application form on .

The contact details for the charities and organisations dedicated to sport for disabled children throughout the UK can be found in our section on Leisure for Disabled Children.

WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONSHIPS

Wimbledon Tickets

You can get tickets for Wimbledon through the public ballot if you are an LTA Advantage Member, or if your club is affiliated to the LTA. The draw for the Championships isfrom 1st August to 31st December of the previous year.

Ball Boys and Girls

Ball boys and girls for the Wimbledon Championships are from local schools in the London Borough of Merton.

For More Information

The Wimbledon Championships has its own website covering all aspects of the tournament and its history.

BRITISH COUNTY LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATIONS

Bedfordshire
Buckinghamshire
Dorset
Gloucestershire
Hertfordshire
Kent
Leicestershire
Middlesex
Nottinghamshire
Shropshire
Suffolk
Sussex
Tennis Wales
Highlands
East of Scotland
South West of Scotland
West of Scotland

ORGANISATIONS

The International Tennis Federation’s Official Website
The ITF has 198 National Associations and is the governing body of the game. It includes a complete professional players database.
International Tennis Federation Juniors
National Tennis Associations
European Tennis Association
Lawn Tennis Association
Tennis Wales
ATP Tour – information about the Men’s Professional Tour
WTA Tour – information about the Women’s Professional Tour
Wimbledon Championships
LTA Advantage Membership
Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation
GB Tennis girls
British Women’s Tennis Association
British Tennis Foundation
International Wheelchair Tennis Association
International Paralympic Commitee
David Lloyd Leisure Clubs

For more information about what’s going on in your area, visit your Local Authority’s website. It can provide details on activities, attractions and services available to you and your family.