900 Welsh Schools Now Teaching Tennis to Thousands of Kids

Two primary schools in Caerphilly just became the 900th and 901st Welsh schools trained to bring tennis into their classrooms, marking a massive win for youth sports access across the country.

Gilfach Fargoed Primary School and Park Primary School recently completed free teacher training through the FAGE LTA Youth Schools programme. Their teachers can now bring tennis lessons back to students this spring, armed with the skills and confidence to make the sport fun and accessible for everyone.

The program removes every barrier schools face when introducing tennis. Training is completely free, available in both English and Welsh, and delivered either online or in person. After completing the course, each school receives a £250 voucher to either hire a certified coach for team teaching or buy brand new equipment.

Since launching in Wales, the program has trained over 1,600 teachers from schools in communities across the entire country. That means thousands of Welsh children are now getting their first taste of tennis and discovering a love for physical activity they might never have experienced otherwise.

Rebecca Hannibal, Competition and Education Coordinator at Tennis Wales, says the program plays a key role in opening tennis up to everyone. By giving teachers the right tools and confidence, schools can deliver curriculum-aligned activities that support both physical health and a lifelong passion for sport.

The Ripple Effect

The impact goes far beyond just learning to swing a racket. When schools embed sports like tennis into their regular programs, children of all abilities get equal access to participate. Students who might never join a traditional tennis club now play regularly in a comfortable, familiar environment with their friends and teachers they trust.

The program also creates lasting change in communities. Teachers trained today will introduce tennis to new students year after year, multiplying the impact far into the future. Each of those children might inspire siblings, parents, or friends to pick up a racket too.

Schools across Wales can still sign up this term for free training and funding ahead of summer. Teachers interested in bringing tennis to their students can register through the LTA Tennis Foundation website.

900 schools down, and the program keeps growing to ensure every Welsh child gets a fair shot at falling in love with tennis.