Thornbury Tennis Club and its coaching partner, Taylor Tennis Coaching, have started working with local charityJIGSAW Thornbury to bring tennis to children and young people with additional needs or disabilities in the local community.
Since Easter, children and young people supported by JIGSAW have been enjoying learning new tennis skills. Tennis coach Emma Nicholls, from Taylor Tennis, uses a series of games and activities to introduce participants to the sport. The emphasis is on having fun and enjoying being on court as well as learning some tennis.
The Club and Taylor Tennis worked closely with JIGSAW to understand how to make tennis inclusive and accessible for young vulnerable people
JIGSAW Thornbury have received wonderful feedback from member families on the tennis sessions held at the club with Taylor Tennis. with 100% of the participants saying their wellbeing had improved as a result..
The impact of these sessions is best described by three quotes from the parents or carers of those who took part:
“Emma was a brilliant coach. We were early as a sibling had done the previous session. Whilst waiting for the others to arrive, Emma took the time to have a short game and chat with our son rather than just have him standing and waiting around. Emma was brilliant at encouraging the young people and made the emphasis on fun whilst learning skills. Having watched both sessions, Emma did a brilliant job of pitching the sessions to the different age groups brilliantly.”
“His confidence has increased, he’s really proud that he’s able to participate in tennis again as it was pitched at the individual’s level.”
“Great for his confidence and self esteem, good exercise and opportunity to improve his tennis skills, great opportunity for him to connect and reconnect with other young people.”
Thornbury Tennis Club, Taylor Tennis and JIGSAW are proud to have joined forces to provide opportunities that make such a difference to our young and diverse community. JIGSAW thanks the children and young people and their families for their time in letting them know they had fun, connected and thrived – a vision promoted by JIGSAW Thornbury.
These sessions with JIGSAW will continue from the start of the new school year in September on Saturday mornings from 9am to 10am. Further information and bookings can be made via www.jigsawthornbury.org.uk/events.
