Kinnoull kids’ tennis coaching

Jun 24 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

IT’S that time of year again and Wimbledon fever is sweeping Kinnoull Tennis Club.

While Andy Murray was warming-up for the main event by winning Queens, 100 primary school children descended on Kinnoull to take part in the annual P4 tennis festival.

Following five weeks of tennis coaching, eight teams of 12 players battled it out under blue skies on what turned out to be the sunniest day of the month!

For over 80% of the players this was their first taste of competitive match play, with the vast majority having never played before the coaching sessions.

Kinnoull club coach and organiser Jane Morrison said: “It is fantastic to see so many children of such a young age competing and , at the same time, having great fun.

“The standard achieved by these players in five weeks is quite remarkable and shows that there is considerable talent in Perth.

“Following on from the festival, about 20 children have been offered a free block of coaching and we very much hope that others will be encouraged to take up this wonderful sport.”

After four hours of closely contested matches, the only P3 team taking part – Kinnoull Koalas – emerged victorious, with Oakbank Otters in second place.

The players were delighted to receive prizes generously donated by Judy Murray and are all supporting Andy at Wimbledon.

For further information on Kinnoull visit www.kinnoulltennisclub.org.uk.