Talent ID inspires young players

The event, which is part of the award winning centre’s community schools programme, aims to encourage young players to take their tennis to the next level.

Exeter Tennis Centre is affiliated to over twenty schools in the Exeter area, providing coaching and extra-curricular activities for students. Standout players from these schools were specially selected for showing exceptional potential and invited to Talent ID to show off their skills in an enjoyable and social environment.

Throughout the morning the centre’s experienced coaching team watched each player carefully to decide where best they would fit into the centre’s Mini Red programme, which follows the Lawn Tennis Associations (LTA) performance framework.

Organiser and Tennis Development Officer Gayle Vaughan said: “It’s incredibly rewarding to go into schools and help young people learn about something I am so passionate about. It has been a brilliant morning with lots of great tennis; it’s fantastic to give these children the opportunity to come to the centre.”

Exceptional players will be invited to join the centre’s Mini Red Developers, Legends and Elite programme and be offered discounts on squad training.

Director of Tennis Will McNally added: “The aim of talent ID is to nurture young players that we feel have the potential to go far. We aim to highlight their strengths and let them know about the options that we have available to help them progress and play at a higher level.

All of the children today have been brilliant; it is exciting to see so many young people enjoying the sport and really getting involved in what we do. Many of these children have never been to the centre before and we hope to see them again and help them develop their skills.”

The talent ID day is just the beginning of what lines up to be a very busy year for Exeter Tennis Centre. On Wednesday over 120 students will attend the annual Schools Tennis Festival. Will said “We always look forward to Schools Tennis Festival. The afternoon will be about fun and enjoying tennis. There will be lots of games and exercises to help young people improve, but most of all have lots of fun.”