Everton in the Community has joined forces with Northern Vision to find tennis stars of the future on Merseyside ahead of the 2014 Liverpool Hope University International Tennis Tournament.
The project, known as ‘Second Serve’, aims to unearth the next generation of tennis talent across Liverpool and Knowlsey by encouraging young people to select the game as their second sport, in an area so dominated by football.
The scheme, which is unique to Merseyside, will offer 20 lucky primary schools across Liverpool and Knowsley the chance to receive free tennis coaching from Everton in the Community staff, with the Blues’ official fitness club supplier, David Lloyd Leisure, guaranteeing two venues in Speke and Knowsley during May 2014 for selected schools to take part in a special tournament. The winners at each venue will then compete in a final at Calderstones Park in June 2014, during the Liverpool Hope University International Tennis Tournament.
The Blues’ involvement in the grassroots tennis scheme also sees Everton in the Community named as one of the Official Charity Partners at the glittering annual tennis event.
To mark the launch, tennis stars of the future from local schools were recently treated to a behind the scenes glimpse at Goodison Park, the home of Everton Football Club, to celebrate the new partnership.
To fund this activity, Everton in the Community will conduct a range of activity including charity raffles, auctions, and a bespoke Grand Slam scratchcard, giving those attending the tournament an opportunity to win up to £1,000.
Everton in the Community’s Partnership and Fundraising Manager Tom Woolley explained: “The project will build upon Everton in the Community’s extensive school sports programme, significantly enhancing the delivery of tennis to young people through taster sessions and a series of multi-school competitions.
“We will also develop both the number of qualified tennis coaches delivering activity across the region, as well as the number of schools from which delivery takes place.”
Northern Vision is one of the leading sport event, marketing and player management company throughout the UK and Europe, as well as the driving force behind the Liverpool Hope University International Tennis Tournament.
“We are thrilled to be launching this partnership with Everton in the Community,” said Northern Vision Director Anders Borg. “It will give hundreds of young people the opportunity to play tennis, many of whom will be participating for the first time.
“We want to encourage young people who may already play football to select tennis as their second sport in the hope that we may unearth a future star.”
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson added: “I am delighted that Everton in the Community and Northern Vision have joined forces to offer the young people of Merseyside the opportunity to try a new sport while keeping fit and healthy.
“The Liverpool Hope University International Tennis Tournament and Everton in the Community are both sources of great pride to the city and I hope that the Second Serve Project is a massive success and helps us to unearth the ‘Scouse’ Andy Murray.”
Everton in the Community is a leading community charity, delivering a range of programmes to promote health, education, social inclusion and equal opportunity across Merseyside.
The charity aims to instil confidence by creating life-changing opportunities with thousands of people already benefitting from its vital work.
For any enquiries please call 0151 227 59 40 or email to admin@northern-vision.co.uk