TENNIS in Inverclyde is going from strength to strength with a profile which endures far beyond the annual interest sparked by the Wimbledon championships.

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The game has been developing in the area over the last 12 months, mainly through a partnership with Inverclyde Council’s Active Schools Sports Development Team, Tennis Inverclyde and Tennis Scotland.

Schools, clubs and coaches have benefitted from a comprehensive programme aimed at not only encouraging youngsters to take up the sport and raising awareness of the opportunities throughout the area but also to develop coaches and teachers to deliver tennis and provide them with the equipment to do so.

Giulio Spella, active schools co-ordinator, has been leading the programme in partnership with Tennis Inverclyde co-ordinator Jim Lyon. Giulio said: “The last year has seen a massive boost for tennis in the area. The programme has allowed primary and secondary schoolchildren to develop an interest in the sport, equipment to be delivered to schools, numerous teachers, coaches and volunteers to be trained to continue to deliver tennis sessions and also the three Inverclyde tennis clubs to be supported with their tennis programme.”

He continued: “We have been grateful for the support from Mike Cohen, Tennis Scotland development manager, support which has been fundamental in accessing resources and guidance from the governing body, along with the ever increasing partnership with Tennis Inverclyde.”

“As a result, I believe there are solid foundations in the area for tennis to prosper further because of the development of the school programme and support for our three local tennis clubs which offer first class courts and facilities. There is no doubt that tennis in the area in moving forward and I look forward to an exciting time for the sport.”

Jim said: “For the past 10 years Tennis Inverclyde has been promoting and delivering tennis sessions in schools, sports centres and the local clubs plus enabling nearly 100 local tennis players to go to the Wimbledon tennis championships with the help of local sponsors, a chance the youngsters might otherwise never have in a lifetime.

“The latest work we have been undertaking with the Active Schools team further demonstrates our commitment to tennis in Inverclyde and to help unearth youngsters at an early age who have the potential to go on and become top class tennis players. ”

Schools Programme

Seven Inverclyde primary schools ­- St Mary’s, Ardgowan, Highlanders’, St Ninian’s, Gourock, Moorfoot and Kilmacolm -- plus fee-paying Cedars School of Excellence in Greenock took part in this year’s programme. They all receive four weeks of curriculum tennis sessions for Primary Four pupils.

In total 283 pupils honed their tennis skills. The programme culminated in three tennis festivals being held at each of the local tennis clubs (Fort Matilda, Ardgowan and Kilmacolm) in order to create a pathway from school tennis into club participation.

Pupils learned fundamental tennis skills from racket and ball control, basic rallying, technique and fun games.

The tennis sessions were based on a new resource from the Tennis Foundation (charitable arm of the Lawn Tennis Association) implemented locally through the school programme, delivered by local coaches.

The partnership between Active Schools Sports Development and Tennis Inverclyde has also organised training at no cost to teachers and support staff from 14 schools throughout Inverclyde with each school receiving the Tennis Foundation primary school tennis pack worth £300 which consists of 30 tennis rackets, 60 tennis balls a mini tennis net and interactive DVD lesson plans for Primary One to Seven pupils.

Giulio has future aims for the programme. He said: “The programme this year has been fantastic with 14 schools taking up the teacher training opportunity, along with the eight schools receiving four weeks of curricular and after-school sessions that will continue into next term with the aim of increasing the number of schools receiving sessions next year. It is also exciting that 14 schools have now received modern tennis equipment and lesson plans which will allow even more children than before the ability to access tennis during and after the school day.”

Additionally this term eight weeks of secondary after-school tennis took place at local clubs to encourage secondary pupils to take up the sport. This is a relatively new development which opens up tennis participation in the area even further, with secondary pupils being given the opportunity to get involved in the sport free at a local venue.

Jim Lyon said:, “We are keen to make it as easy as possible for youngsters of all ages to be able to try out tennis and take up the sport through the schools and the local clubs. Tennis is a great game for all ages and also helps build up children’s confidence as well as their social and team building skills.”

Club Development

Inverclyde has three tennis clubs -- at Fort Matilda, Ardgowan Square and Kilmacolm -- each of which has ‘all-weather’ courts which allow for play all year long. An integral part of the development of tennis this year is to turn the initial interest in tennis by young people into more players at the local clubs.

The clubs have a variety of tennis programmes and memberships to attract players of all ages and abilities into the sport. Through the support of Active Schools and Sports Development and Tennis Inverclyde, each has hosted open days to further attract young people into the game and to showcase the club programmes and memberships available. Clubs have also hosted primary school tennis festivals and secondary school after-school clubs.

In addition to the regular tennis programmes, clubs also host very successful children’s holiday camps where numbers have soared over the last couple of years and this summer is already gearing up to be the busiest summer at the tennis clubs yet. Click for details

Tennis clubs host excellent facilities with junior memberships typically between £30 and £50 per year with parents playing at no extra cost with children under 10 years. Around 55 new juniors have already taken up memberships at clubs over recent weeks.

Coach Development

Until recently tennis coaches have been in fairly short supply; however Inverclyde has nine new Level One coaches to help deliver the ever-increasing tennis programme. The coaches, recruited from tennis clubs and multi-sport coaches, undertook the course over a five-week period earlier this year.

The course covered the candidates’ knowledge of tennis skills, drills, rules, setting up classes and talent identification in order to deliver mini tennis sessions. The staging of the course not only created a new batch of coaches but also gave the clubs further benefits.

Giulio said: “As part of the course, all candidates have to undergo several hours of coaching experience under a licensed tennis coach. In order to facilitate this, we worked with the local clubs to stage open days for schoolchildren.

“This not only allowed myself to mentor the coaches through their experience but it also allowed clubs to offer another session to both members and non-members to grow the opportunities available to take part in the sport. Moreover it provided an ideal first step for children who have enjoyed tennis in primary schools to take the next step and get involved in club tennis.”

Anyone interested in getting involved in tennis in Inverclyde can contact: Active Schools Co-ordinator Giulio Spella on01475 714733 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Tennis Inverclyde Co-ordinator Jim Lyon on 07985 120 155 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it