National sports charity ‘Tennis For Free’ has served up an ace for Frome by investing in a year-long programme of free tennis sessions, hoping hundreds of people across the area can make a racquet at the tennis courts at Mary Baily Tennis Courts.
In an exciting partnership with Frome Town Council, which is part funding the project, Tennis For Free will provide free coach-led tennis sessions for local people of any tennis playing ability. The official launch will be Saturday 15th September between 2.30-4pm, and everyone is welcome. You don’t need a racquet or a ball, as all equipment is provided free of charge.
Local tennis coach at Frome Selwood Tennis Club, Chris Matthews said, “We are all very excited to welcome Tennis For Free to Frome. It is a fantastic opportunity for all members of the local community to get into the spirit of trying tennis for either the first time, or to dust off the cobwebs and try again. You can bring your own racquet if you wish, but don’t worry as all equipment is provided and as the name suggests, everything is free!”
Tennis For Free is a registered charity founded by comedian Tony Hawks and fashion executive Patrick Hollwey. It aims to provide healthy, vibrant local tennis communities for free on public park tennis courts creating new tennis players of all ages and backgrounds and showing that tennis can be enjoyed by all. Tennis For Free supporters include Judy Murray (mother of former World No1 and three-time Grand Slam winner Andy), BBC tennis commentator Andrew Castle and ex-Grand Slam winner Pat Cash.
Tennis For Free CEO Paul Jessop said, “Mary Baily Tennis Courts is one of many sites we are opening across the South West in 2018 and is one of hundreds more schemes we are planning within the next five years across the whole of the UK. All our sessions are very well suited to the whole family coming down and all playing tennis at the same time. There are no catches, all equipment is provided.
“The sessions are perfect for that first taste of tennis or for getting back into the game in a fun and relaxed manner but with all equipment provided and coaches in attendance to help out. We hope many people, of all ages and abilities, will come and join us at these sessions.”
Richard Ackroyd, Mayor of Frome said, “We are keen to provide as many opportunities in Frome as possible for people to be more active and the Tennis For Free sessions are a great way of doing this, all for free. The sessions really are suitable for anyone – any age and any ability so we really encourage people to join in when they can. Even if you’ve never played tennis before, this is a chance to give it a go! We’ll be offering sessions three times a week, so we hope there will be times available to suit everyone. ”
Tennis For Free (TFF), which works with local authorities and tennis clubs up and down the country, currently funds around 200 professional tennis coaches who are supported by volunteers to offer weekly sessions to people of all ages and backgrounds at its 70 sites. Everything is free for participants – equipment is provided and there are no court hire costs. It will also bring more people, especially from disadvantaged communities, into physical activity and reinvigorate under-used local parks.
Sign up for Tennis For Free Frome www.tennisfor free.com.
Above: The mayor, residents and coaches prepare for Tennis For Free.
