David Lloyd

Tennis is a fantastic sport, which can be played and enjoyed for a lifetime. The physical and psychological benefits for kids, particularly those who start playing at an early age are immense; and once conquered, they can take this multi-faceted skill where ever they go. That’s why our Tennis All Stars programme recognises the importance of introducing tennis in the early years and focuses on nurturing children appropriately as they grow.

Overall, tennis is a reasonably simple sport and taught well, it requires just a little concentration and a good learning environment. It’s also an individual and competitive sport so by playing, children will naturally learn the values of sportsmanship including discipline, competitive spirit, self-respect, fairness, respect for others, diligence and commitment.

At David Lloyd Leisure we believe that lessons in life can be learnt through sport!

There is no doubt that children love to play tennis and are naturally competitive. We have worked hard to ensure Tennis All Stars reflects this and will make sure that all kids on the programme are presented with the correct ways to grow physically and mentally.

We now offer Tennis All Stars Intensive so children can keep improving throughout the school holidays. It is four hours per day of structured coaching that works on technical and tactical themes that will really speed their improvement.

Children can enjoy the fun and social aspects of ball sports from as early as three years old. This is where the journey for a Tennis All Star begins: with two great classes for toddlers and their parents. At five years old (and sometimes a little earlier) we start to use scaled down courts, balls and equipment that is suitable for your All Star’s stage of development. Just like a traffic light, our colour coded progression prepares your children for tennis on a full-size court with full size racquets and balls.

Our players start getting involved in Tennis All Stars as early as 3 years old and develop through a structured and organised framework endorsed by the Lawn Tennis Association.

In every half term there should be at least one competition at Red, Orange, Green and Yellow for all players in those levels able to play a match. This competition is in addition to regular matchplay within the coaching programme and competitive games included in the standard lesson structure. All players will have experienced competition playing in lessons; and coaches will therefore encourage All Stars to enter extra competitions.

Or ratings are designed to help young players between the ages of 4 and 10 get the most out of competitive tennis. The ratings are designed to reward players for competing, inspire them to develop their game, offer the opportunity to compete more regularly and to be the best they can be.

How the ratings work

Players will automatically move from level 4 to level 3 and level 3 to level 2 once they have completed the appropriate number of matches whether they win or lose. Players will move from level 2 to level 1 once they have won a certain number of matches at their rating or better (monthly process).

Mixed gender matches will count at RED, ORANGE and GREEN. Doubles matches will count towards played matches but not the wins total.

If players reach RED LEVEL 1, they will move to ORANGE LEVEL 2 at the correct age. If they reach RED LEVEL 1 a year early they will move to ORANGE LEVEL 4.

If they reach ORANGE LEVEL 1, they will move to GREEN LEVEL 2 at the correct age.

If they reach GREEN LEVEL 1, they will move to a 9.2 rating at the correct age. For more information on how Mini Tennis and the ratings system works, visit the Lawn Tennis Association site, or contact your LTA County Office.

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Mini Tennis Ratings

Mini Tennis is a great way for those under 10 to take their first steps in tennis. As well as being fun and exciting, you will practice many of the same skills that the top professionals work on every day. Mini Tennis gives you the chance to compete against players of a similar standard in local competitions. You can easily measure your tennis ability so you can see how you are improving and when you get a rating you are starting on the same pathway as Andy Murray! For information on Mini Tennis Ratings visit the LTA site.

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How to get started

Players in the Tennis All Stars programme will need to become British Tennis Members and get a Mini Tennis rating. Player ratings should match the level of group, quad or team (Development of Performance) in which they play. To join up and get a rating please speak to a tennis member or reception.