Hurst resident, and LTA level 3 tennis coach, Joey de la Nougerède wanted his daughter Evie to start tennis as soon as she was steady on her feet. Joey looked around for a tennis toddler session and, finding nothing, invited some of Evie’s friends and invented some fun, racket-themed games; and so Tennis Tots was born.

Fellow Tennis Tots dad, David Keenan from Sayers Common, persuaded Joey to run a Sunday session in addition to the existing Monday group, and with David’s help, the session has grown to 20 children by word of mouth.

David and Joey have now taken the plunge, formed Tennis Tots Ltd. and booked the Triangle for three 45-minute sessions starting on Sunday 7th April. David commented: “Seeing the children improve week on week is really heart-warming. My daughter Ella always comes out with a beaming smile on her face.”

Parents Charlotte and Nick have brought their four-year-old, Lennon, to Tennis Tots for two years now. Charlotte says: “It’s a real community feel; all the parents are part of the session, and we have all become friends.” Joey describes tennis as a ‘gateway sport,’ where cognative and motor skills can transfer easily to other deciplines including football, cricket, golf and hockey.

Tennis Tots are offering two free sign-up sessions for local residents with children from age 14 months (must be walking) to seven years in a fun, happy environment, with all rackets and equipment provided.

Mondays: 11.15am at the Weald Tennis Club in Hassocks.
Sundays: 9.15am, 10.15am, and 11.15am at the Triangle in Burgess Hill.

For more information see: www.tennis-tots.com