A new voluntary organisation, set up by a passionate Crosskeys tennis player, is calling on coaches in Caerphilly to help tackle the financial barriers preventing young people from disadvantaged areas taking up the sport.
Of the 600,000 children currently living in Wales, a third are from low-income families unable to meet the cost of joining their nearest tennis club, or the relevant coaching needed to develop their game.
The founder of Tennis Connect Wales, Steve Milne, thinks it’s time that changed and wants to see coaches in Caerphilly working closer with local primary schools, in a way that can be of benefit to everyone.
Steve said: “The main aim of Tennis Connect is to get more racquets into the hands of kids, in areas where they just can’t afford to play. It’s that simple.
“The way tennis is set up across Wales, and the whole of Britain, is very much tailored for the 60% of people who can already afford to play. The rest are left out in the cold and, unfortunately, there could be someone with the potential to be the next Andy Murray living in one of our more deprived areas and – as things stand – they will never get discovered. That’s a tragedy – for them and the sport.
“Through Tennis Connect I want to identify passionate coaches and connect them with suitable schools in their local area, so we can create more coaching and playing opportunities for the kids to get involved.”
There are real advantages for coaches and schools interested in lending their support to the Tennis Connect cause. Being more visible in the local community can help raise the profile of coaches and their associated clubs. Schools will also benefit from linking with the wider community, while boosting their sports curriculum, inspiring healthy lifestyles, and helping their pupils to maximise any hidden sporting potential.
Steve added: “This really is a win-win for those who get involved. The whole process is completely voluntary and arrangements between schools and coaches would be based on whatever time each has available.
“Whether it’s a one-off arrangement, or something more regular, it will mean more tennis than what these kids are getting right now, and that can only be a good thing.”
To find out more, and to register your interest with Tennis Connect Wales, you can visit www.TennisConnect.co.uk or email tennisconnect.wales@gmail.com.