Hey everyone! I’ve got some exciting news to share with you. The LTA, Street Games, and Jo Melchior have been working together to bring tennis to the heart of 120 community groups all across Great Britain. Isn’t that amazing?
During the school holidays, we’ve been teaming up with these community groups to introduce tennis to children and young people from underserved communities. We believe that everyone should have the chance to play tennis, no matter where they come from.
Our partners, StreetGames and Jo Melchior, have been doing an incredible job supporting local authorities and community organizations in delivering the Government’s Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) program. Together, we’ve been providing these groups with a HAF package that includes equipment and training to help them incorporate tennis into their activities for children and young people. Our goal is to not only combat holiday hunger but also tackle social isolation.
Did you know that the HAF program has been supporting children who receive free school meals during the holidays since 2018? It’s true! We’ve seen that the school holidays can be tough for some families, and that’s why we’re here to help.
Research has shown that children from low-income households are less likely to have access to organized out-of-school activities, more likely to have unhealthy holidays in terms of nutrition and physical health, and more likely to experience social isolation. But we’re changing that!
Let me tell you about some of the amazing work that’s been happening. The Harrow Club in London, led by Liam Clipsham, has been working with nearly 30 young people over the summer. And get this, 70% of the group are eligible for free school meals. Liam says that participating in tennis improves their health and fitness and gives them the chance to try sports they may not have considered before. It’s all about engaging young people and having fun!
Positive Programmes CIC in Mid Glamorgan has also been part of this incredible initiative. They’ve been working with children aged seven to 16 on the tennis program. According to David Thomas, the director, tennis has been a game-changer for their holiday provision. It has helped reduce anti-social behavior, allowed young people to learn new skills and make new friends. Plus, providing food and refreshments has helped combat holiday hunger and ease the financial pressures on local families. How awesome is that?
Kiran Matharu, the LTA Community Tennis Manager, is thrilled about the impact we’re making. As National Inclusion Week comes to an end, we’re continuing to support underserved communities throughout the year. Our goal is to give every child the opportunity to pick up a racket, regardless of their background. The Department for Education’s HAF program is a lifeline for many families during the holidays, and we’re proud to be a part of it.
We want to give a shoutout to all the amazing community organizations and partners who are delivering this program. They’re doing an incredible job providing positive activities, promoting social connection, and offering free healthy meals. We couldn’t do it without them!
Last year, we launched our Breaking Down Barriers initiative, which aims to introduce tennis to more children and young people from underserved communities. We’re committed to making a difference and ensuring that tennis is accessible to all. Together, we can break down barriers and create a more inclusive and diverse tennis community. Let’s keep swinging those rackets and making a positive impact!