Anyone for tennis?

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Wandsworth Borough offers tennis for free

With Wimbledon tennis fever just beginning, wannabe Henman�s and budding Serena Williams� can take advantage of the use of tennis courts in Wandsworth free of charge.

Wandsworth has joined forces with the Tennis for Free charity and is offering the use of the newly resurfaced tennis courts at Leaders Gardens for tennis players of all ages and abilities.

Three courts are available at Leaders Gardens in Putney which have been completely resurfaced at a cost of over £10,000, by Wandsworth Council and tennis enthusiasts can practice their volleys, serves and ground strokes from 7am to 9pm, seven days a week.

The Tennis for Free charity is working in partnership with councils to allow courts across England to be opened up on a free basis, and to set up a fair system by which the courts are shared by members of the public. Wandsworth is one of over 20 authorities nationally to join the scheme which is supported by the Lawn Tennis Association, The All England Club and Sport England.

Leaders Gardens is situated at the junction of Festing Road and Putney Embankment and the free use of the courts is operated on a first-come-first-served basis.

Sports development manager, Simon Ingyon commented:

� This is a perfect opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to get into the Wimbledon spirit without cost implications.  We are in the planning stages of providing support and free tennis coaching for primary school children and are currently seeking professional coaches who would like to support this unique scheme�

Anyone interested in providing free tennis coaching to young people should contact Simon Ingyon on 020 8871-8114. For further information on the Tennis for Free scheme log on to www.tennisforfree.com
or email support@tennisforfree.com

June 21, 2004