Press Office
Coventry event sets stage for rebirth of British Tennis
Date: 05 Dec, 2005
Esporta Health & Racquets Club, Abbey Road, Coventry
Tennis stars of the past, present and future gathered at Esporta Health & Racquets club on 7th December, when the Esporta Racquets Academy awarded its 3000th scholarship since its launch in 2003. The scholarship was awarded to Hannah Pollard (13) from Styvechale in Coventry. Hannah currently attends Whitney Abbey School and was recruited after her school recognised that her talent on the tennis court needed to be developed further.
Tim Henman, who is Official Patron of the Tennis First Charitable Trust which supports the Racquets Academy, marked the occasion with a tournament game, tennis clinic and autograph signing for spectators. The event was also aimed at raising awareness of the need to encourage and develop young tennis talent in the UK.
The Esporta Racquets Academy is a nationwide initiative dedicated to nurturing Britain's tennis stars of the future. Members are recruited through a number of channels. A schools' outreach programme identifies sporting talent among all children whether on the football pitch or on the athletics track, while local talent identification programmes take place across the 18 Esporta Racquets Clubs in the UK, open to members and non-members.
The Academy comprises a structured membership scheme that reflects the 'all welcome' philosophy of The Academy. Tennis scholarships are awarded to promising young players depending on their level of ability from grass roots upwards, to assist with their development so their full potential is met. The Academy is supported by the Tennis First Charitable Trust which helps to fund children through the ranks.
Gary Stewart, head of the Esporta Racquets Academy comments:
“The UK has not produced a Grand Slam champion since the 1930s and unless initiatives which nurture young talent are taken seriously, this talent deficit is likely to continue until the 2030s.”
“Tennis is still perceived to be an elitist sport dominated by privileged children and it is this perception which closes the door to a pool of potential talent today. Through the Esporta Racquets Academy we are widening the net across social and cultural spectrums to capture a wider pool of players.”
Hannah Pollard comments on her scholarship:
“The Racquets Academy is a fantastic way to encourage kids who love tennis to improve their game and have a chance to play professionally. It was fantastic getting the chance to meet Tim – he gave me some of his best tips on how to improve my game.”