A local tennis club is opening its courts every Friday afternoon to young residents, offering children aged 8 to 16 the chance to pick up a racket and discover the sport at no cost.

Olivedale Tennis Club launched the Olivedale Youth Hour on June 5, running sessions from 15:30 to 18:00 each Friday. The club provides rackets and balls to all participants, removing the barrier of equipment costs for families who may not yet own their own gear.

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Club member Emlyn Stone, who spearheaded the initiative, said the programme was designed to give curious youngsters their first proper experience of the sport. “It’s basically just to introduce tennis to the kids, and to let them experience it, especially those that haven’t yet but they’ve seen it on TV and maybe just want to see if they’re interested.”

He added that a lack of equipment and unfamiliarity with how courts function had often stopped children from taking that first step.

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The sessions have been running throughout June, and Stone said attendance had been encouraging, with players coming in at mostly beginner level, though the occasional intermediate player has also joined in.

Parents are asked to register their children through an online Google form before attending. Stone explained that the registration process allows the club to keep contact details on hand in case of any schedule changes or court unavailability.

The youth hour is not a drop-off arrangement. Parents are encouraged to remain courtside for the duration of the session, and are welcome to pick up a racket and join their children on the court, when space allows. “It’s a controlled system where we keep communication open with the parents and they’re encouraged to stay, monitor the kids, and also just play with the kids if the court allows.”

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