LTA's Ready to Play, encouraging a new generation of British tennis players

by My Kent Family reporter

Andy Murray, Johanna Konta, Jamie Murray - the new No.1 ranked player in the world - yes British tennis really does have has some bright young stars. But we seriously need more top players - only last year the head of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) admitted the game was in decline.

Without more children picking up rackets, Britain's tennis future doesn't look promising. Luckily, a new campaign is trying to attract more youngsters to the sport, by encouraging parents to get them involved.

The Ready to Play initiative features advice and a series of fun videos showing simple games for parents to play with their children to help them learn the basic skills needed for tennis, including hand-eye coordination, accuracy and ball control.

Current Olympic champion Andy Murray
Current Olympic champion Andy Murray

Ready to Play

The videos star the current Davis Cup Captain Leon Smith, who last year led Great Britain to its first victory in the Davis Cup since 1936. Smith, who used to coach Andy Murray, is head of men's tennis at the LTA and is keen to ensure Britain's upcoming tennis talents are as successful as the current generation.

"Tennis has so much to offer for a young player and introducing them to it at a younger age will keep them in the sport longer," he says.

A key part of getting more children interested in tennis is through schools and Leon says the Tennis Foundation, which delivers teacher training in tennis and provides tennis equipment, has now reached more than 20,000 British schools.

Getting more clubs and parks to host the sport is also vital, he adds, so kids have somewhere to play outside school.

GB's Davis Cup captain Leon Smith
GB's Davis Cup captain Leon Smith

Tennis icons

Having successful role models is also key to encouraging children to take up a sport. Leon lists Andy and Jamie Murray, Johanna Konta, Heather Watson and Laura Robson as the current tennis icons.

"If you speak to any of the top players, they'll all say they had an idol when they started out. Heather, Laura and most recently Johanna, are fantastic role models for young girls.

"We're so lucky to have in Andy Murray a player that's at the very top of his game that young players can look up to.

"Jamie Murray had a very successful 2015 and is now competing at the highest levels. We know how popular doubles is for those playing across the country, so it's great for the sport that we have a top British player there too."

British No.1 Johanna Konta who has just reached a career-high 21 in the WTA rankings
British No.1 Johanna Konta who has just reached a career-high 21 in the WTA rankings

Active encouragement

Recent research by Pharmaton Active Life, which has teamed up with the LTA to launch the Ready to Play campaign, found more than three quarters (78%) of parents would like to encourage their children to try a new sport, while 40% feel they could do more to encourage their children to be active.

"The emphasis, especially when children are young, is on the parent to encourage kids to keep active," says father-of-three Leon, who says the games on the Ready to Play website will help develop tennis skills and can be played indoors and outdoors throughout the year.

Jamie Murray, left, with partner Bruno Soares after winning the men's doubles at the Australian Open
Jamie Murray, left, with partner Bruno Soares after winning the men's doubles at the Australian Open

Best chance

So, are campaigns like Ready to Play really what Britain needs to become a tennis great?

"It's such a long road from starting to play the game to getting anywhere near winning a Grand Slam," admits Leon.

"But our best chance of ensuring we have more players at the top of the game is to grow the base. I'm excited by the Ready to Play campaign and the earlier we engage with players and their parents, the more likely they are to choose tennis as a sport they'll continue to play throughout school and beyond."

For more information about the Ready to Play campaign, visit www.readytoplaytennis.co.uk

To find the closest venue to play tennis near you, click here

Leon Smith with young tennis players
Leon Smith with young tennis players

Free tennis this summer for five to eight-year-olds

If you’re looking for a fun activity for your kids then look no further. Tennis For Kids is a free six-week coaching course packed full of action packed games and activities designed as the perfect introduction to tennis for kids.

Here's what you can expect

  • A free six-week course with a qualified LTA coach

  • A free racket to keep forever if you attend regularly

  • An opportunity for parents to get involved

  • An opportunity to keep playing at the venue after the course

For more details, click here

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