Will to Win offers free tennis coaching for champions of the future

Talented young tennis players will compete in �The Royal Parks Schools� Tennis Challenge 2007� on Friday 29 June. The tennis courts in Hyde Park and Regent�s Park , only a few miles from the famous Wimbledon Championships, have been the venue for free tennis coaching sessions for under 12s from local state schools over the last month.

Will to Win Tennis visited eight local schools and selected the best players to attend professional training sessions at centres in The Royal Parks. After three weeks of dedicated training, a team of boys and girls were selected to represent each school at the Tennis Challenge in Hyde Park.

The Will to Win scheme provides opportunities for local kids to have fun, receive free coaching and get involved in tennis at an early age. Speaking about the scheme, Steve Riley, Director of Will to Win Tennis, commented: �Will to Win Tennis has been working closely with The Royal Parks over the past three years to make tennis more accessible. The schools outreach programme means that more kids get the opportunity to play the game and build up their skills. They can continue to develop their talent by accessing the course free of charge throughout the season.�

Mark Camley, Chief Executive of The Royal Parks, added: �The Royal Parks are committed to junior tennis in London and this is a real example of partnership working for the local community. Opening up these facilities for children will enable them to enjoy active sport at low or no cost and may even help us encourage Wimbledon champions of the future�

The Royal Parks:
Press Office: 020 7298 2128 press@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Will to Win:
Steve Riley: 0795 711 0403 steveriley@willtowin.co.uk