Shropshire county team plays first walking tennis representative fixture

Six players represented Shropshire in a competition which also involved two more county teams from Cheshire and Herefordshire & Worcestershire.

Held at Tennis Shropshire’s Cathie Sabin Community Tennis Centre in Shrewsbury, Cheshire eventually emerged winners.

“Everyone enjoyed it and we will certainly look to have another competition next year,” said Tennis Shropshire chair Fiona Jones.

“We are also looking at putting on more regular walking tennis competitions within the county as there’s a lot of players that enjoy competing.”

Tennis Shropshire appointed two walking tennis champions earlier this year to enhance the continued growth of the sport in the county.

Coaches Linda McMahon from Ludlow Castle Tennis Club and Wem Tennis Club's Dave Parry work with clubs and organisations around Shropshire.

Several county clubs have already introduced walking tennis sessions, with more urged to also get involved.

Weekly one-hour sessions will be held around the county during October at Baschurch Tennis Club (Tuesdays, noon-1pm), Church Stretton Tennis Club (Thursdays, 2-3pm), Ludlow Castle Tennis Club (Tuesdays, 11am-noon), Market Drayton Tennis Club (Mondays, 2.30-3.30pm), Shrewsbury’s Cathie Sabin Community Tennis Centre (Tuesdays, 10-11am) and Shrewsbury Lawn Tennis Club (Wednesdays, 10-11am).

Tennis Shropshire is working with Age UK after they made a successful application for grant funding to run weekly walking tennis sessions at the Cathie Sabin Community Tennis Centre and Market Drayton Tennis Club.

Walking tennis is played on a full size tennis court, using softer balls, which don't bounce so high or fast.

The ball is allowed to bounce twice, with the game, which follows the same scoring system as regular tennis, played at a more gentle pace. Players can't run or jump.

Fiona added: "Walking tennis is a fast-growing sport across the country.

"We know that tennis offers lots of benefits as it's a great sport for physical heath, mental health, as well as a sociable activity.

“We are also aware that it can be quite daunting for people who are perhaps not as fit and mobile as they used to be, have maybe not played tennis before, or are perhaps recovering from illness or injury.

"That's why walking tennis is such a wonderful sport. It's also a good way for people who haven't played tennis before to be introduced to the game, and for players who may be a bit rusty to come back to the sport.

"It's an opportunity for people to enjoy fun, sociable exercise.”

If you are keen to find out more about walking tennis and how to get involved, please email info@tennisshropshire.co.uk