More children than ever across Islington and the surrounding areas are getting the chance to take part in the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) hugely successful Tennis for Kids programme and pick up a tennis racket for the first time, thanks to an increase in the number of places available for children in London and the South East.

The news, which comes during the Wimbledon fortnight, will see around 1000 more places made available for children across the region on the six-session introductory tennis programmes, which are delivered by specially trained and accredited LTA coaches.

The programme is now is its third year and is aimed at children who have never played before.

Around 2,000 children are already taking part in courses across London with the increase in courses and places following an overwhelming demand from children to play, with over 50 per cent continuing to play on a follow-on course.

This forms part of the LTA’s plans to further grow the number of young players across the nation and meet rising demand for the programme.

To celebrate this announcement, representatives from the LTA joined Tennis for Kids coaches and 30 children at Stratford Park in Newham.

With demand continuing to increase across the city, LTA accredited coaches are now working to provide more Tennis for Kids courses, enabling even more children to get on court.

Over 55,000 children across the country have taken part since Tennis for Kids’ inception in 2016 and there has been an unprecedented take up for this year’s programme, with over 21,000 sign ups so far this year.

Tom Gibbins, Head of Children, Young People and Education at the LTA said: “Tennis for Kids is proving to be very popular across the country and it’s brilliant that over 55,000 children have signed up to take part since it started. We are committed to enabling more children to try tennis and with the programme now available all year-round, we hope even more will have the chance to play.

Nina Graveson-Bridge, London Community Business Manager at the LTA said “The number of children signed up to Tennis for Kids sessions in London shows how the popularity of tennis is growing amongst young people in the region. An increase in the number of courses and places available means children in Barking and Dagenham and surrounding areas can be active all-year-round.”

The value for money courses take place all year-round across the country and also include their own kit with a special Tennis for Kids babolat racket, ball set and personalised t-shirt all delivered directly to them for £25.

To find out more and get involved with the Tennis for Kids programme, please visit www.tennis-for-kids.co.uk to sign up.