With summer approaching local women are being offered the chance to sign up to brand new Beginners Tennis sessions across South Somerset.
The sessions are being offered as part of the In It Together women’s participation programme which is funded by Sport England and delivered by South Somerset District Council. In It Together is working in partnership with local tennis clubs in Martock, Ilminster, Milborne Port and Somerton to offer an affordable opportunity to learn the basics of Tennis with qualified coaches.
Debbie Hill, Women & Girls Participation Officer at South Somerset District Council explains more about In It Together sessions, “The programme has been set up to offer a range of affordable sporting activities for women in the right place and time. With that in mind our Tennis coaching is free for the first session and then only £3 per session after that. This is an amazing opportunity to learn and improve your skills with other women in a friendly environment.
“Now in the second year In It Together is really gaining momentum. In the last month alone our Beginners Running sessions in Yeovil, Langport, Chard, Wincanton and Stoke Sub Hamdon have all reached capacity. This is an exciting time for the project and we are encouraging as many women as possible to get moving.”
Following a successful course in Martock last year Beginners Tennis is returning in May. One of the participants on the first course was Michelle Short who said, “I joined the Beginners Tennis sessions last year in Martock. The coach soon had us all running around the court and we practiced footwork, where to stand during play, how to volley, backhands, forehands, serving and scoring.
“It got quite competitive at times as we played team games. It was fun, and the session passed quickly, so true, that time flies when you are having fun. I want to keep active especially as I get older, to keep my fitness and be an active Granny. I also want to get to a standard when I can join in club evenings, so I have signed up again.”
Councillor Sylvia Seal, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at South Somerset District Council said, “In It Together is really starting to take off. There is a real movement around female participation in sport and physical activity at the moment and this project will build on the awareness and momentum created by Sport England’s national campaign This Girl Can, to help encourage more women and girls to take up exercise. Tennis is a great way to keep fit and I hope that many women jump at the opportunity to give it a go.”