When you play together you stay together

Community Play Programme

Our vision is for a club which is truly accessible to our local community. Everything we do and every project we invest in must increase and enhance at least one of the outcomes outlined below.

Sport is widely seen as a way for people of different backgrounds to interact and integrate by taking part, volunteering and spectating. As well as helping players to develop their on-court tennis skills we can help build stronger communities by bringing people together.

We want to encourage people to get active for their physical wellbeing. We know that being physically active can give an incredibly significant boost to one’s health. Tennis provides a way of achieving that.

We believe the impact a physical activity like tennis can have on mental wellbeing is every bit as important as the physical benefits. Tennis can contribute to enjoyment and happiness, and more broadly to life satisfaction through increased social interaction.

Volunteers and sports fans also have an increased sense of purpose and pride, while self-esteem and confidence are known to increase through participation or volunteering.

We know how powerfully sport and physical activity can affect an individual’s development. Playing tennis has the potential to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.

There’s also clear evidence that being active improves educational behaviour and attainment, through greater self-esteem, confidence and direct cognitive benefits. Being an active part of a community tennis club can also help reduce anti-social behaviour in disaffected young people and increase willingness to volunteer and the development of soft skills, such as integrity, responsibility and leadership.

Hylands has a clear commitment to providing a tangible resource that benefits the local community while protecting a common good. To do so we are dedicated to building our Social Capital welcoming individuals who wish to be part of our volunteers’ investment programme (VIP).

Our Community Play Programme is organic and it includes several options. Most importantly, it needs your support either on-court or off-court. Therefore, if you are an adult willing to join us as a Friend of Hylands and you are also able to provide a valid Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate, we would love to explore what you can offer the club.

Ad-Hoc activities from Badminton and Basketball to Handball and Futsal

Subject to adult volunteers being available, our multi-use games area and/or the Sports Hall can be accessed to run ad-hoc activities. These will focus on children and their families taking part together and joining like-minded families. Membership is not a requirement. However, a low-cost fee will apply to non-members. Each activity will require two adult volunteers and a minimum of 12 participants.

Book vouchers

Although we do not pay our volunteers, where reasonable to do so, we will refund their travel and subsistence and we will reward exceptional contributions by gifting audiobooks via Audible vouchers.

Great British Tennis Weekend

Once or twice a year, we open our facilities to newcomers. Anyone is welcome to attend, but the GBTW is primarily designed to target families who are totally new or rarely play tennis. The open days can be viewed on the LTA’s ClubSpark website.

Merit Awards

Twice a year (usually late winter and early autumn) the lead coaches at Hylands will consider which players have demonstrated competence within their group and are ready to be moved to the next level up. Players who are moved up are awarded the Hylands Merit Award badge, which is unique to our club.

Jack Petchey Foundation

The Jack Petchey Achievement Award scheme is a reward and recognition initiative. Each year, young members of our club, nominate a young person between 11 to 25 years old who make a wholehearted, unselfish and dedicated contributions to our club.

TennIS 4 Schools

We currently have good links with several primary schools. We are keen to develop more relationships with local schools via quality links that will support conversion from school to our club. A School Club Link is a two-way partnership between a local school and our tennis club, developed to provide opportunities for all children and young people to get involved in the game and raise the awareness of the tennis venue with the whole school community. School Club Links enable pupils to further their enjoyment, skills and experiences by continuing to play tennis in their local community, whilst adding value to a school’s offer to their pupils. If you are a school or a parent that would like to find out more about what we can offer, please contact us by email at hylandsclub@gmail.com

Table Tennis

We have access to three table tennis tables in the Sports Hall. This activity will require one adult volunteer and a minimum of 8 players. Table tennis rackets and balls can be provided on request.

Tennis Leaders

The LTA tennis leaders course is aimed at 13 years plus. The content is suitable for older juniors just starting out on the tennis career pathway, right through to adult volunteers looking to support their local coach, referee or club official. Subject to demand, we can offer in-house tutoring for courses leading to the LTA Tennis Leader Awards. With the club support behind you, you will be able to develop your communication and organizational skills and learn to support the club coach and committee with the running of our club tennis programme and volunteering.

Timed Tennis Activities

These are run in conjunction with our Tennis Festivals and will often have a theme from summertime slams to Halloween events. Details will feature in our e-newsletter and on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

Touchtennis

We have access to three Touchtennis courts in the outdoor multi games area. This activity will require one adult volunteer and a minimum of 6 players. Rackets and balls can be provided on request.

Touchtennis is easy to pick up but impossible to put down – the closest thing to 5 a-side for tennis, played on a smaller court, with 21” rackets and foam balls and can be played on any flat space, indoors or outside. The specifically designed ball and unique rules create a level playing field whereby different abilities can enjoy playing together.

Do you want to volunteer and be part of our social movement in facilitating access to sport generally and tennis specifically? Join Now as a Friend of Hylands and help us maintain this invaluable facility for the benefit of all.

Important notes

Please note that we are based within a school and our access is restricted to after school hours on selected days and times. The entire premises are smoke-free and no pets are allowed. Limited car parking is available. A parent or guardian aged 18 or over must be in attendance for all children under 11 years of age.

The club adheres to the LTA Code of Conduct and coaches are LTA accredited and committed to their ongoing development. Tennis rackets, if required, can be borrowed. Comfortable sports clothing and non-marking tennis shoes are recommended.