The Parks Tennis Ireland initiative aims to provide Irish Nationwide tennis coaching programmes to boys and girls aged between 6-17 years. The programmes incorporate both beginners and improvers through the spring and summer months, in areas like local parks, community centres/pitches and schools where tennis court facilities exist. The programme offers tennis coaching at a low cost to children from all social backgrounds, including those from disadvantaged areas both rural and urban who may not have been exposed to the game.

In Sligo, Parks Tennis has been running summer programmes since 2001 and the initiative is co-ordinated locally through the Youth Sport West Development Officer based at Sligo Sport & Recreation Partnership. The programme is delivered annually at communiy sites throughout County Sligo. The sessions are run by tennis coaches who ensure quality programmes are delivered with all the participants receiving ample opportunity to develop their tennis skills. Nationally the initiative offers an opportunity to identify, nurture and develop talented performers, who may otherwise have remained undiscovered. More importantly however the programme provides a great number of children of all ages, abilities and backgrounds with a positive and worthwhile introduction to tennis and hopefully goes some way to setting them on the pathway to lifelong involvement in sport and exercise.

Anyone wishing to find out more about Sligo Parks Tennis can do so by contacting us at info@sligosportandrecreation.ie or 07191 61511