The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were today given a first-hand introduction to LTA Youth the new LTA programme that will help more children enjoy the benefits of playing and staying in tennis, whatever their age, gender, ability, disability or background.

The Duke and Duchess were visiting Edinburgh Leisure’s Craiglockhart Tennis Centre to learn more about the new programme and take part in a series of LTA Youth drills with local children.

After an explanation of the principles behind the programme by Scott Lloyd (Chief Executive, LTA) and Olly Scadgell (Participation Director, LTA) the Duke and Duchess went on court to join children from Canal View Primary School, Edinburgh, and try their hand at three fun games that help teach progressive skills for tennis as well as for other sports.

Firstly they did a hopscotch warm-up, before picking up a racket and ball to play floor tennis against a partner. The Royal couple competed with the children to see who could keep rallies going the longest.

Finally Their Royal Highnesses each captained a team of children in an epic game of ‘team cones’ with each child playing a mini-match against the others to secure a point for their team. Ultimately the Duke/Duchess’s team was victorious.

Graham Watson (Chair, Tennis Scotland) and Blane Dodds (Chief Executive, Tennis Scotland) explained about the implementation of the programme in Scotland and the opportunity for parents to book courses locally.  

Before leaving all the children present were given LTA Youth rackets to inspire them on their journey to becoming young tennis players. 

Scott Lloyd, LTA Chief Executive, said: “It was great to be able to show Their Royal Highnesses our new junior tennis programme first hand. LTA Youth is designed to be fun, inclusive and competitive and help children enjoy tennis whatever their age. Courses across the country can be booked via the LTA website.”

https://www.lta.org.uk/play-compete/lta-youth/youth-programme/

 LTA Youth

LTA Youth has been It has been developed using the latest research and science, and is based on insight that shows that kids and parents want activity that is fun, something they can learn and improve quickly and they want to compete. LTA Youth has all of this, with content designed to ensure children have a fun, enjoyable and positive experience and want to come back.

At the heart of the LTA Youth is an innovative coaching curriculum for LTA Accredited Coaches and schools. It is the first national curriculum for tennis ever written, drawing on world-leading expertise and informed by both athlete development principles and customer insight from parents and players.

LTA Youth Schools content has been specifically created to develop key character qualities such as perseverance, resilience and respect which complement the PSHE curriculum.

LTA Youth in Scotland

With the continued growth in both club membership and participation for tennis in Scotland, LTA Youth is an innovative programme that introduces tennis to children in a fun and inclusive way. Tennis Scotland is delighted that 88 coaches have been trained to deliver LTA Youth across the country to date and it is anticipated that more than 1000 young people will participate in the programme over the course of the year with spaces filling fast. Working closely with the LTA, the outlook for Scottish tennis is bright, with the highest membership figures ever across a growing number of venues.