An afternoon of free, family tennis took place last Saturday, 21st September, with the official opening of Camvale Tennis Club's new 'kids zone'. The tennis courts, located at Purnell Sports Club, now have an additional, purpose-built mini-tennis court, primarily for players aged four to eleven, with a lower net in the middle. Balls used are foam or felt and are much slower than standard tennis balls.

The new facility, which has cost £14,500, has been built on previously unused land and will provide local children with a purpose-built court that will help develop mini-tennis into the full court game in a fun, friendly and safe environment.

There is also the additional capacity to teach, coach and develop hand/eye coordination, ball and racket control through an approved programme of healthy exercise and learning. The site will also allow for cardio tennis – which is tennis to music! There were two sessions during the afternoon in which twenty children and then thirty mums, dads and club

members had a go.

The project is both DDA compliant, allowing access to all and is in line with the needs of mini-tennis – an approved Lawn Tennis Association programme. Funding was possible through club funds, grants and donations from Quartet Community Foundation, the Sperring Trust, Ken Biggs Contractors, Rackvernal Old School Trust and Midsomer Norton Town Council, with money also coming from the Paulton Councillors' (Liz Hardman and John Bull) Ward Initiative Funding.

The main use of the new Kids Zone will be for the pay and play sessions open to those aged from four to sixteen, held on Saturday mornings. For details, contact Brian Wessell on: 01761 412693 or visit: http://www.camvaletennis.btck.co.uk">www.camvaletennis.btck.co.uk