David Lloyd Leisure, the UK's largest tennis operator, will launch a major nationwide campaign to encourage more children to take up tennis following Andy Murray's historic win at Wimbledon on Sunday.
With nearly half the total number of indoor courts in the country and the world's largest tennis coaching team, David Lloyd Leisure will host a Family Festival of Tennis in its racquets clubs open to everyone this weekend (July 13 and 14) and plans to launch an ambitious outreach project to take its unrivalled tennis expertise to schools in the community.
Europe's premier health, sports and leisure group operates the world's largest junior tennis coaching programme and expects to see a surge in the number of youngsters wanting to take up tennis as a result of Murray's victory in the men's finals.
It already reports a six per cent rise in the second quarter this year of youngsters playing tennis and involved in its Tennis All Stars exclusive junior coaching programme, including some of the most talented junior players in Europe.
David Lloyd Leisure's chief executive Scott Lloyd said: "Murray's victory is the biggest boost yet for grassroots participation in tennis in the UK and provides us with an unprecedented opportunity to harness this inspiring achievement to encourage future generations to play.
"David Lloyd Leisure is the world's leading tennis provider, with a unique heritage, and we are delighted to launch this major drive to get the nation's children playing, both in celebration of Murray's remarkable achievement and to continue playing a key role in the sport's development.
"Children aspire to be like their sporting heroes and youngsters the length and breadth of the country are now bound to want to pick up a racquet and have a go, and we want to nurture that enthusiasm and talent.
"We have already seen a marked increase in the number of both children and adults playing tennis at our clubs across the UK during the build-up to Wimbledon and expect this figure to increase significantly as a result of this fantastic victory."
Throughout the Wimbledon period, David Lloyd Leisure has been opening its doors to everyone wanting to try tennis by giving away a free tennis day pass, which it will continue until the end of July.
With a tennis heritage spanning over 30 years, David Lloyd Leisure provides more than 700 indoor and outdoor tennis courts, nearly half the total number of indoor tennis courts in the UK, at 67 of its 81 UK clubs. The group also operates the world's largest tennis team with more than 400 LTA qualified tennis coaches.
Its facilities have been used by many world-famous players. Both former British no.1 Tim Henman and Andy Murray trained at David Lloyd Leisure clubs during their junior years and the group sponsored Murray between 2006 and 2008 on his way to reaching the pinnacle of his game.
For those wanting to follow in the footsteps of the Wimbledon star players or simply try their hand, David Lloyd Leisure is opening its doors to everyone during this open weekend's Family Festival of Tennis and encourages people to pick up a racquet at any point over the summer holidays.
As well as its Tennis All Stars junior coaching programme, David Lloyd Leisure provides a range of courses and classes for adult enthusiasts of all abilities including a Racquets Welcome, Fast Track tennis to help players get started as well as improve their skills, Total Tennis social tournaments, Tap into Tennis club sessions and Cardio Tennis, offering great ways to enjoy the sport at any level.
Tennis All Stars is a bespoke, structured coaching programme for 3-11 year-olds with players progressing through a colour-coded system linked to age and ability with the opportunity to compete at almost every stage.
The programme is supported by a mini tennis ratings system, designed to reward players for competing, inspire them to develop their game, offer the opportunity to compete more regularly and to reach their full potential.
Children showing real talent can move on to David Lloyd Leisure clubs with enhanced performance programmes. The group's network includes nine performance squads that support some of the brightest talent in the UK.
