Age UK Walking Tennis programme
Age UK has partnered with the LTA Tennis Foundation to encourage older people to get more active and join Walking Tennis groups in communities across the country.
Funding from the LTA Tennis Foundation will enable 8 local Age UKs to set up and deliver new Walking Tennis groups, with a goal to reach over 160 older people through the game over 2 years.
What is Walking Tennis?
Walking Tennis is a slower version of the traditional game, with a few rules that make it less physically demanding – but just as much fun.
It's open to everyone, whether or not you've played tennis before and regardless of age. It's great for the mind as well as the body and it’s a great opportunity to make new friends and enjoy being part of a team.
The rules that make Walking Tennis different to the traditional version are:
- players can’t run or jump
- players are allowed to let the ball bounce twice
- it can be played on a smaller court with modified equipment, such as softer balls and lighter rackets.
Why is Walking Tennis important?
Walking Tennis enables anybody – whether they are life-long tennis players, players who have had to give up, or those completely new to the sport – to give tennis a go, keeping their mind and body active whilst meeting new people and above all, having fun.
This partnership aims to bring Walking Tennis opportunities to older people who are most at risk of physical inactivity. New Walking Tennis groups will specifically support women and older people:
- from lower socio-economic groups
- living with long-term health conditions
- living with a disability
- from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
Where can I find Walking Tennis?
Walking Tennis will be available between July 2024 and September 2025 at 8 local Age UKs across England.
Age UK Blackburn with Darwen
Ladies Walking Tennis: Tuesdays, 1-2pm, at Blackburn Northern Sports Club, Pleckgate Road, BB1 8QA - starts 2 July 2024.
Over 50s Walking Tennis: Mondays, 2-3pm, at Darwen Valley Community Centre, 59-61 Sudellside Street, Darwen. BB3 3DL.
How to book: email enquiries@ageukbwd.org.uk or call 01254 266 620
Age UK Calderdale & Kirklees
Walking Tennis: Wednesdays 9.30-11am, at Queens Sports Club, Moorlands View, Halifax HX1 2XQ - starts 10 July 2024.
Walking Tennis with Cardio Tennis: Tuesdays 2-3pm, at Queens Sports Club, Moorlands View, Halifax HX1 2XQ – starts 3 September 2024.
Cost: free
How to book: email enquiry@ageukck.org.uk or call 01422 252040.
Age UK Devon
Exmouth: Thursdays, 10-11.30am at Exmouth Tennis & Fitness Centre, Withycombe Village Road, Exmouth, EX8 3AE - from 4 July 2024.
Sidmouth: Tuesdays, 11-12.30pm at 1st Sid Vale Scout Group, Sid Vale Scout Centre, Salcombe Hill Road, Sidmouth, EX10 0NY.
Cost: £4.00 per session; first session free.
How to book: email info@ageukdevon.org.uk or call 0333 241 2340.
Age UK Lincoln & South Lincolnshire
Fridays 11.45-12.45pm, at Age UK Activity Centre, Park Street, Lincoln. LN1 1UQ - starts 30 August 2024.
Tuesdays 10.30-11.30am, at Dunholme Tennis Centre, Dunholme, Lincoln LN2 3SU - starts 10 September 2024.
Cost: £4.50
How to book: email activities@ageuklsl.org.uk or call 0345 556 4144
Age UK Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
Market Drayton: Mondays 2.30-3.30pm, at Market Drayton Tennis Club, Greenfields Lane, Market Drayton TF9 3SL - starts 15 July 2024.
Shrewsbury: Tuesdays 10-11am, at the Cathie Sabin Community Tennis Centre, beside the Shrewsbury Club, Sundorne Road, Shrewsbury, SY1 4RG - starts 9 July 2024.
Cost: £4.00
How to book: email enquiries@ageukstw.org.uk or call 01743 233 123
Age UK South Kent Coast
Women's Walking Tennis: Mondays, 10-11am, at Hawkinge Community Centre, Heron Forstal Ave, Hawkinge, Folkestone CT18 7FP - starts 19 August 2024.
Mixed Walking Tennis: Wednesdays, 2-3pm, at St Margaret's Lawn Tennis Club, Boundary Gate, Glebe Close, Dover CT15 6AF- starts 21 August 2024.
Cost: £6.00
How to book: email communityoutreach@ageukskc.org.uk or call 01304 372608.
Age UK Sutton
Ladies Walking Tennis: Wednesdays 10.30-11.30am at Sutton Tennis and Squash Club, 19 Devonshire Rd, Sutton SM2 5HH - starts 4 September 2024.
For anyone living with a long term health condition: Mondays, 11am – 12pm, at Sutton Tennis and Squash Club, 19 Devonshire Rd, Sutton SM2 5HH - starts 2 September 2024.
Cost: First 10 sessions free, then £4 per session
How to book: email letsconnect@ageuksutton.org.ukor call 07702 167 566.
Age UK Waltham Forest
Tuesdays 1-2pm, at Highams Park Tennis Bubble, Rolls Sports Ground, Hickman Avenue (off Larkshall Road), Highams Park, E4 9JG.
Cost: £4.00
How to book: email events@ageukwalthamforest.org.uk or call 020 8558 5512
Evaluation and learning
The Walking Tennis Programme is being formally evaluated. The evaluation will consider:
- Why did older people choose to join the Walking Tennis groups? And what did they think of Walking Tennis?
- Why did older people who attended regularly continue to do so? And what prevented those not participating regularly from doing so?
- What are the key factors local Age UK’s and other organisations need to consider when organising, promoting and providing Walking Tennis for older people, and to ensure that the sessions are sustainable after the project funding has finished?
The evaluation and other learnings from this programme will be available on this webpage and help support the long term development of the game.
How can I get more information?
For more information, please email Rebecca.Barnham@ageuk.org.uk or visit the Lawn Tennis Association website.