Tennis for Race Against Dementia (Tennis4RAD)
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Tennis Scotland Doubles Up To Support Sir Jackie Stewart's Race Against Dementia Charity By Placing Tennis Players On Track To A Healthy Lifestyle
Tennis Scotland has partnered with social enterprise, Tennis for Race Against Dementia (Tennis4RAD), to increase access to tennis-based fitness classes for individuals aged 50 and over, in support of Sir Jackie Stewart's Race Against Dementia charity.
Launched yesterday at the Gleneagles Tennis Academy, the first Tennis4RAD ten-week course aims to increase fundraising through the fitness sessions and raise awareness of the charity to find a breakthrough in the prevention or treatment of dementia, whilst contributing to Tennis Scotland’s vision of opening the sport to the wider community through accessible, welcoming and enjoyable activities.
Co-Designed by Tennis Scotland & Head Coach, Alan Russell
Tennis for Race Against Dementia’s sessions have been co-designed by Tennis Scotland and Head Coach, Alan Russell, to ensure that activities are aligned to the Lawn Tennis Association's themes for cardio tennis, creating an interactive and engaging environment for players of all abilities. Through participation in a range of tennis exercises, practice drills and games, the inaugural course aims to positively impact on the healthy cognitive ageing of group members.
The benefits of tennis in the fight against dementia have recently been promoted by both the Lawn Tennis Association and the Alzheimer's Society, with research outlining that regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing the condition by 30%. It has also been shown that regular tennis fitness sessions can improve heart and bone health, in addition to the many physical and mental benefits gained through general exercise.
Darren Burgess
Darren Burgess, Founder and Programme Director of Tennis for Race Against Dementia, said: “There’s ever increasing research that tennis supports healthy cognitive ageing, which helps people to live longer, healthier and more independent lives. I am therefore delighted to be partnering with Tennis Scotland in launching our tennis fitness sessions for people aged 50 and over at the Gleneagles Tennis Academy, with all proceeds going to Sir Jackie Stewart’s Race Against Dementia charity. A huge thanks to all our sponsors and participants.”
Blane Dodds
Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland Chief Executive, said: “It’s essential that we continue to promote the many health benefits associated with tennis and this partnership will play a key role in engaging beginners and players in our sport. We look forward to developing a long-term relationship with Tennis for Race Against Dementia, which will further enable us to deliver our ambition of Tennis opened up to deliver the legacy in Scotland.”
Sir Jackie Stewart
Sir Jackie Stewart, said: “Creating opportunities to support people’s healthy cognitive ageing through tennis is something that Race Against Dementia endorses. It’s great to see this initiative launching today at Gleneagles, somewhere Helen and I have much love for and many connections. Race Against Dementia is grateful for the fundraising donations from the Tennis for Race Against Dementia initiative, and also the generous support of its partners and supporters, Tennis Scotland, Gleneagles and the Peter Vardy Foundation.
I wish Darren, Tennis Scotland and all the participants the best of success as the initiative rolls out across Scotland in support of Race Against Dementia.”
The first Tennis4RAD course commenced yesterday (1st September) at the Gleneagles Tennis Academy, Auchterarder, with sessions scheduled to take place on a weekly basis before being rolled out across Scotland in 2022.
Visit Tennis for Race Against Dementia Website
For additional information, please visit: http://tennis4rad.org
