Learn to programme players get county level call up

The Manchester Tennis and Football Centre is an LTA local player development centre (there are only four in the North West of England).  We provide additional sessions for children with excellent athletic skills and a competitive nature to enhance their skills in a player centered environment.  Four of the players on the centre’s coaching programme Amarachi Ikem, April Sackflame, Leslie Inko-Tariah and Kirsty Olowu have been selected to represent Lancashire in their respected age group 8u, 9u and 10u. They have all shown real dedication to their training, both at the centre and on Lancashire county training camps and a willingness to play competitions on a regular basis.

5 players per age group were selected which means the centre provided over 25% of the mini tennis county players for Lancashire, which is an excellent achievement for one club/centre.  Having a community Pay As You Go facility which provides local children with the opportunity to realise their potential and compete and is a refreshing change to see four young Manchester players doing so well.  They all started on our learn programme and progressed to the train programme, which is the pathway for players to progress their skills. We will continue to do more outreach work in the local community to give more opportunities for children to try a sport they may not have previously played.  The centre offers tennis at an affordable rate, in excellent facilities with a well established coaching and competition programme.