Tim Henman visits Ulverston (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Tim Henman visits Ulverston

11:40am Friday 23rd July 2004 in Sport By Gazette News Desk

THE "Tiger" Tim Henman served up some tennis tips to children from across South Lakeland this week as part of an effort to encourage sport in schools.

More than 125 children from 25 schools in the area joined Britain's number one on the courts at Ulverston Leisure Centre on Monday to participate in the Serving Tennis for Schools Scheme.

Set up by local Jaguar dealership P.V. Dobson, and the UK Government initiative, Sportsmatch, the scheme provides two secondary schools, three special needs schools and 20 primaries in the area with free equipment bags, in-service teacher-training, coach visits and mini tennis and tennis taster sessions as well as information on where youngsters can play tennis at local clubs and centres.

On a break from training for the Canadian Tennis Masters series, the tennis ace said such schemes were "vital" for the future of the sport: "There is no doubt that schemes of this type will enable Britain to find the tennis star of tomorrow and I am thrilled to see all the children here today taking a real interest in the game."

P.V. Dobson's Paul Fowler added that the scheme, although only in its infancy, had proved a huge success, benefiting more than 7,000 local schoolchildren: "The scheme has had such a positive response from schools and pupils.

"Having Tim here today has been terrific for these children, who have only recently got to try the game of tennis themselves. To meet and get some guidance from their sporting idol has been marvellous and I am sure it will motivate them, and perhaps their friends, to think about playing tennis on a regular basis."