Teenagers from a Basingstoke college were given a tennis masterclass by Judy Murray this week as reward for their efforts in a nationwide tournament.
A team of four from Queen Mary’s College won the mixed doubles in the AEGON Team Tennis Schools Senior Students competition in March and Judy – mother of world number four Andy Murray – spent more than an hour coaching the youngsters at Totally Tennis, in the War Memorial Park. Ben Jubin, Steph Catlin, Jack Nicholson and Amee Paterson powered their way to glory and were joined by classmates on Monday, May 17.
Judy told the Observer: “I had agreed to come and do a session with all of the schools that won something in the British schools competition to come and do a coaching session. I have absolutely loved it, the weather was fantastic, the kids played really well and were really enthusiastic.”
Judy believes the courts are a model that needs to be emulated up and down the country to get more people into the sport. “What a fantastic venue – a park facility that works with schools – it is terrific and we need more of this type right across Britain,” she continued. “One of the things tennis has struggled with is being too expensive, perceived to be elite and making tennis affordable and accessible is going to boil down to have places like these in parks and schools.
“One of the keys is not just the facility but the person who drives it and the team here are fantastic. You can see by the passion and enthusiasm they have that the kids will keep coming here. It is one thing attracting them to the game its another to retain them for years to come and that is the challenge.”
The AEGON event aims to provide nationwide competitive tennis for lower ranked players.
Stephanie Catlin, 17, said: “The masterclass with Judy was a really good experience for us. She gave us some really useful pointers which I’m sure will stand me in good stead. We have had a really enjoyable day, learnt a lot and it was really great to meet her.”
Paul Regan, Head of Education at The Tennis Foundation, told the he was impressed with the town centre courts.
“This is an incredible facility with indoor courts which have been recently re-laid, fantastic outdoor courts in an accessible area right in the middle of a public park,” he said. We need more facilities like this one, without expensive membership fees, to attract as many people as we can to the sport.”
