Children can learn to play tennis, make friends and have fun with our tennis courses and pay as you go sessions at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.
Take your pick from our different tennis programmes:
Smashers - 4 to 6 year olds
Smashers gives children the chance to learn the basics of tennis and the skills needed to enjoy playing the game. They'll learn through fun activities whilst focusing on fundamental areas of balance, co-ordination, agility, movement and racket and ball skills.
For more information about the national Mini Tennis scheme visit the Lawn Tennis Association's (LTA) website.
What ball is used?
- A red ball is used which is 75% slower than a normal ball.
What racquet is best to use?
- A shorter racquet of 19” – 23” is recommended depending on the size and strength of the player. Visit our shop at the centre for help choosing the ideal racquet.
Red - 6 to 7 year olds
They’ll be introduced to the basics of tennis and get the opportunity to practice long rallies, play different types of shots and get competing.
For more information about the national Mini Tennis scheme visit the Lawn Tennis Association's (LTA) website.
What ball is used?
- A red ball is used which is 75% slower than a normal ball.
What racquet is best to use?
- A shorter racquet of 19” – 23” is recommended depending on the size and strength of the player. Visit our shop at the centre for help choosing the ideal racquet.
Choose from these tennis courses:
- Level 1 - These groups are intended for juniors at the start of their tennis journey or for those who have just graduated from the colour below
- Level 2 - This is for juniors with basic skills where we will work with them on improving technique and tennis specific racquet skills
- Level 3 - This offers the juniors a more tactical approach to their tennis and includes scoring and playing matches as well as the possibility of play tournaments
Orange - 8 to 9 year olds
They’ll be playing with shorter racquets and softer balls. Courts are bigger and wider than the red stage to help progress with court awareness, but still smaller than full-size tennis courts, allowing players to develop a rounded game whilst learning a range of techniques and tactics.
Get your children plugged into the Lawn Tennis Association's (LTA) nationally recognised children’s tennis programme. These tennis courses provide a fun way for them to learn the basics of the game and also pave the way for more advanced tennis tuition.
We’ll run internal competitions as players progress, resulting in an LTA rating for them which will enable players to compete in graded competitions around the country.
They’ll automatically receive British Tennis membership as part of the scheme which will give them a rating for competitions, discounts to enter competitions, a monthly newsletter and a free entry into the Wimbledon Championships ticket ballot!
What ball is used?
- An orange ball is used which is 50% slower than a normal ball, giving players better control at this important stage of development.
What racquet is best to use?
- A racquet of 23” – 25” should be used depending on the size and strength of the player.
Choose from these tennis courses:
- Level 1 - These groups are intended for juniors at the start of their tennis journey or for those who have just graduated from the colour below
- Level 2 - This is for juniors with basic skills where we will work with them on improving technique and tennis specific racquet skills
- Level 3 - This offers the juniors a more tactical approach to their tennis and includes scoring and playing matches as well as the possibility of play tournaments
Green - 10 to 11 year olds
It’s played on a full size tennis court, with bigger racquets and balls which are a little softer than normal tennis balls; this slows the ball down allowing more time for shot selection and positioning. It’s the next stage before moving on to full compression yellow balls on a full sized court and helps players develop and improve all aspects of their game before moving to Yellow Junior Tennis.
Get your children plugged into the Lawn Tennis Association's (LTA) nationally recognised children’s tennis programme. These tennis courses provide a fun way for them to learn the basics of the game and also pave the way for more advanced tennis tuition.
We’ll run internal competitions as players progress, resulting in an LTA rating for them which will enable players to compete in graded competitions around the country.
They’ll automatically receive British Tennis membership as part of the scheme which will give them a rating for competitions, discounts to enter competitions, a monthly newsletter and a free entry into the Wimbledon Championships ticket ballot!
What ball is used?
- A green ball is used, which is 25% slower than a yellow ball.
What racquet is best to use?
- A bigger racquet of 25” – 26” should be used but is not compulsory.
Choose from these tennis courses:
- Level 1 - These groups are intended for juniors at the start of their tennis journey or for those who have just graduated from the colour below
- Level 2 - This is for juniors with basic skills where we will work with them on improving technique and tennis specific racquet skills
- Level 3 - This offers the juniors a more tactical approach to their tennis and includes scoring and playing matches as well as the possibility of play tournaments
Yellow - 12 to 13 year olds and Teen - 14 to 15 year olds
Choose from these tennis courses:
- Level 2 - This is for kids with basic skills where we will work with them on improving technique and tennis specific racquet skills
- Level 3 - This offers the kids a more tactical approach to their tennis and includes scoring and playing matches as well as the possibility of play tournaments
All sessions are led by a minimum UKCC Level 2 coach and include both technical and tactical development, alongside opportunities for matchplay and competition.
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