Tim Henman Foundation
About Tim Henman Foundation
The Tim Henman Foundation is a youth charity with the mission of transforming the lives of young people from underserved communities by creating sporting and educational opportunities as well as improving mental and physical health.
They deliver sports programmes which break down access and financial barriers to allow young people the opportunity to participate and progress.
Their education programmes provide opportunities for students who require extra support and young people who wish to progress on their career path.
The Need
It is recommended that children take part in 60 minutes of activity each day, but research shows that 71% of students from underserved communities take part in under 1.5 hours of organised PE/sport at school per week.
There are many barriers to delivering PE/sports in school such a lack of dedicated PE resources and 38% of teachers saying there is pressure to give more time to core subjects.
This lack of physical activity can lead to problems, such as low self-esteem and stress, and children being overweight or obese. In addition to this, research shows that it has a negative impact on social development and academic performance.
What the LTA Tennis Foundation funded
The LTA Tennis Foundation has awarded a grant to the Tim Henman Foundation to deliver its Community Tennis Programme, which aims to open up tennis to more students.
The programme includes five key elements:
- Regular coaching on-site for every student (in line with the LTA Youth Start lesson plans).
- Rackets in hands (through the LTA Youth packs).
- Ensure tennis is sustainable at the school through teacher training
- Offer students the chance to continue their tennis journey at a local club
- With the additional benefit of inspirational mentor workshops delivered at the school
Running in line with the academic year, the programme is delivered in multiple schools in the Southeast of England, chosen based on the percentage of students on free school meals and the level of deprivation in the area, ensuring it reaches those with the greatest need. The programme is delivered to the same group of students for three years, providing consistency for both students and schools.
The Impact
One school which has felt the positive impact of the Community Tennis Programme is Cambridge Primary School in Aldershot. The school has a Free School Meal rate of 21% and sits in the bottom 16% of underserved communities in the area.
For a lot of students, these sessions are the first time they have picked up a tennis racket. As part of the programme the school has been partnered with the Aldershot Tennis Centre, and their coaches deliver the weekly tennis sessions to the school. The centre also supports those who want to continue their journey outside of school.
Since the programme started at the end of 2023, 360 students from Cambridge Primary have attended regular tennis sessions with an LTA qualified coach, 30 students regularly attend a tennis after school club and 20 students have taken up the pathway to play at the Aldershot Tennis Centre on a regular basis.
Mr. Payne, a PE teacher at Cambridge Primary said, “This programme is unique as it delivers to every year group, every half term, for the whole school year, whereas traditionally we would have had a coach come in for a half term with one year group. It’s an amazing opportunity. The students love the fact that somebody is coming in as it's like “ooh a proper tennis coach is coming” – they love the fact that it is not a teacher, because they are bored of seeing us every day!”
The children are very receptive to the Head Coach, Mark, who engages the students by getting them involved in team games to warm up, as well as working on their communication and teamwork skills. Mark said “These sessions are the first time a lot of these children will have picked up a racket. We start by just giving them the experience of tennis, by working on basic skills – like controlling the ball and giving them an idea of what a forehand and backhand is. We try to make it fun and energetic for them. The sessions are more than tennis, it is good for their health, they are learning new skills, and it gives them a sense of achievement as well.”
It is not just the students that benefit from these sessions though, they are also a positive CPD opportunity for teachers. Mr. Payne explains “PE is one of those things that teachers are a bit less confident about teaching, so I try to ensure they attend every session for their CPD, and then we hope to keep tennis on the curriculum.”
In addition to the weekly sessions, students take part in an end of the half-term visit to the Aldershot Tennis Centre where they get to play mini tournaments on traditional tennis courts and take part in fun tennis skill games. Mr. Payne said “Walking to the tennis centre is a big deal for many, especially those who haven’t been on a school trip due to COVID. The centre's facilities are fantastic, and the kids’ eyes light up when they see the space.”
This programme has not only helped students improve their tennis skills but has also supported the development of essential life skills. One student shared their experience, saying, “We learned how to hold the racket in our sessions. I felt a bit nervous at the start, but then I gained a lot of confidence and improved significantly.”
With thanks to the LTA Tennis Foundation we are able to grow our Community Tennis Programme and deliver regular coaching and other great opportunities with six schools, in some of the most deprived communities in the country. To be able to have the support for three years provides valuable security for us as a charity, for the schools we work with and most importantly to the children who know they will get their regular tennis without barriers
Improving Lives Through Tennis
Together, we can help ensure people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to play and enjoy tennis. Every donation makes a difference - no matter how big or small. Thank you for all your support.