Walking Tennis to launch in Shrewsbury and Market Drayton
Published on 18 June 2024 09:12 AM
As excitement mounts ahead of this year’s Wimbledon Championships, tennis of a slower pace is on the minds of local charity, Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin.
The call is going out to older tennis players (aged 55 or over) to join new weekly Walking Tennis sessions in Shrewsbury and Market Drayton, beginning this July.
‘This will be a low impact and fun activity that will benefit your physical and your mental health,’ said Emma Wilde, Wellbeing Services Manager at Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin.
The strawberries and cream launch of the sessions in Shrewsbury will be at The Shrewsbury Club, Sundorne, on Tuesday 9 July, from 10.00 – 11.00am.
Then there will be another strawberries and cream launch, this time for the Market Drayton sessions, on Monday 15 July, at Greenfields Lane, Market Drayton, 2.30 - 3.30pm.
This new initiative is part of a programme being rolled out in communities across England over the next two years and is being 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.
‘Walking Tennis provides a fantastic way to stay active while enjoying the social benefits of being part of a tennis community,’ said a Tennis Foundation spokesperson. ‘The sessions are open to everyone, for those who have a backhand like Novak Djokovic or can hit a serve as fast as Serena Williams, as well as those who’ve never played before, or anyone who is simply seeking a more relaxed pace of play! So why not come along and give it a go?’
For more information about Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin’s Walking Tennis groups, call us on 01743 233 123 or email enquiries@ageukstw.org.uk