I love walking tennis!

‘I had never played tennis before and had only ever been a spectator,’ says Anne, one of the new members of the walking tennis groups run by Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin.

‘But I’m really enjoying these new walking tennis sessions. It’s not as easy as it looks, to be honest, and I’m loving the challenge of learning a new activity.’

‘Everyone is very friendly and at no point so far have I felt out of place or embarrassed by my lack of skill. I look forward to developing my tennis skill and hope to introduce other family members to this great activity.’

‘Walking tennis sessions for all abilities are now running in both Shrewsbury and Market Drayton as a low impact and fun activity for the over-55s,’ says Emma Wilde, Wellbeing Services Manager at Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin.

This new initiative is part of a programme being rolled out in communities across England over the next two years and has been launched with funding from the Lawn Tennis Association’s Tennis Foundation.

‘We’re extremely grateful to both the Tennis Foundation and the national Age UK for funding this project,’ said Emma.

The walking version of the much-loved sport is designed to be a gentle and inclusive game and provides a supportive environment for older people of all abilities. The rules of the game include no running or jumping, allowing the ball to bounce twice and the option to play on a smaller court with modified equipment.

For more information on Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin’s walking tennis groups, call us on 01743 233 123 or email enquiries@ageukstw.org.uk