Hundreds of school children in the UAE are being given the chance to play tennis for the first time as part of the recently launched Mubadala Tennis in Schools program.

The community initiative, developed as part of Mubadala World Tennis Championship’s commitment to grow tennis at the grassroots level, provides expert coaching directly to children between the ages of seven and twelve. The program distributes free Wilson mini-tennis equipment to local schools, bringing tennis to many children who would not otherwise have the chance to play.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural initiative, twenty-five schools in Abu Dhabi are taking part in this year’s program, each receiving a visit from a leading tennis coach. The school visits are designed to help younger children grasp the basic techniques of tennis from an early age while promoting the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet.

Managed by IMG and presented by FLASH Entertainment and Mubadala, the program also offers eight youngsters a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their skills in front of a sell-out crowd on center court during the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.

John Lickrish, Managing Director of FLASH Entertainment stated;
“When we launched the Abu Dhabi World Tennis Championship in 2009, community engagement and the development of the sport at a grass roots level was our number one priority. Already hundreds of children across the UAE have benefited from the tournament’s important community work. This year even more children will be introduced to tennis for the first time through the Mubadala Tennis in Schools Program.”

“Regardless of age, skill or ambition, the Mubadala Tennis in Schools Program ensures children will have fun as they learn the fundamentals of this fantastic sport. It also reflects the championship’s commitment to the local community and the importance of instilling the values of a healthy and active lifestyle.”

Kate Triggs, Executive Director, Mubadala Group Communications, said:
“Our commitment to growing tennis at the grassroots level starts with encouraging those taking their first steps in the game. The Mubadala Tennis in Schools program is the ideal introduction, providing expert guidance and
equipment to help youngsters make the most of their talents.

“Beyond inspiring a new generation of players in the UAE, the influence of the Championship and the schools initiative extends into the community. School children will be taught the importance of exercise and a healthy diet through the enjoyment of sport.”

The program was recently launched with a coaching seminar for the Physical Education teachers of the twenty-five participating schools. The briefing session included a mini-tennis demonstration which showed teachers how to introduce tennis to children who have never tried the sport before.

Following the briefing session for Physical Education teachers, Michelle Jones, teacher at Al Yasmina School said;
“Parents love to get involved in activities that promote healthy lifestyles for their children. Opportunities such as the Mubadala Tennis in Schools initiative is vital for the local community, especially since there is no current provision out there for children to play the game due to lack of courts in schools and court rental costs. The mini-tennis equipment provided through the program will make a huge difference to growing the game.”

As part of the build-up to the Mubadala World Championship, two children from each school who show the most progress will be selected to take part in a skills competition final on November 26th at the International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City.

From the fifty children involved in the skills final, eight will be selected compete in a mini-tennis playoff on the first day of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, giving the children a real taste of the Center Court atmosphere.

The Mubadala World Tennis Championship is a three-day tournament featuring six of the world’s top male tennis players. The tournament will be held from 30 December 2010 – 1 January 2011 at Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City. Now in its third year, the event aims to raise awareness of the benefits of tennis and the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle, whilst also leaving a legacy for the community beyond the tournament.
 

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