It’s a Rally good idea
WORKSHOP AIMS TO GET MORE GIRLS INTO GAME TENNIS
THE North East’s first She Rallies tennis workshop proved a smashing success with youngsters.
She Rallies is an initiative led by Judy Murray and supported by British Tennis with the aim of inspiring and training female volunteers and coaches to encourage more women and girls into tennis.
Twenty-five She Rallies ambassadors are spread across the UK, Boldson-based coach Stephanie Eadon representing the North East.
She delivered the first of three summer workshops at the Everyone Active Tennis and Wellness Centre in Silksworth, Sunderland.
The day began with 14 new activators - made up of tennis coaches, schoolteachers, multi-sports coaches and parents - being trained in recreational competitions.
The second part of the day saw 22 under-10 girls from various clubs throughout the region participate in a team competition.
It followed the extremely successful girls only Red and Orange events held in Northumberland and Durham and Cleveland earlier this year.
The under-10 tournament featured players from Boldon TC, the Northumberland Club, Cramlington TC, Sunderland Tennis Centre, David Lloyd Newcastle, Tennis World, Northumberland Tennis Academy and Beverley Park.
Ten teams of two girls took part in timed doubles match play and competed in skills stations designed to enhance their speed, balance, agility and coordination skills.
The team with the most points accumulated from both activities was named overall winner.
The eventual victors were Saakshi Santosh (David Lloyd Newcastle) and Estelle Orr (Yarm).
The runners-up were Goodness Onuh (Tennis World) and Isabella Hunt (Sunderland Tennis Centre).
The She Rallies activators will now return to clubs, schools and community associations with a free equipment pack and the confidence they can deliver a fun recreational competition for girls.
The next step will see them put together a personal action plan for the next 12 months supported by Eadon and the She Rallies team.
Eadon said: “‘I am delighted to have the chance to inspire women and girls and provide them with their initial training.
“I will continue to support and mentor the new activators in their sporting environment to continue to grow the women’s game.”