Local youngsters represented the WHU Foundation in the annual PL4S competition
- Four students from Brampton Manor represented the WHU Foundation in the annual Premier League 4 Sport National Tennis Competition.
- Over 5,600 people have engaged in the initiative.
- The pupils visited the All England Club at Wimbledon as part of the scheme.
The pupils included Joshua Aboderin, Valentina Dancheva, Oluwatimileyin Adediran and Priscilla Owusu-Kumah who were chosen to take part in the competition at the National Tennis Centre having been involved in the Foundation’s PL4S scheme throughout the year.
Now into its fourth year, the partnership between the Premier League and British Tennis has seen over 5,600 young people engaging in the initiative.
Despite not winning the tournament, the young hammers had the rare opportunity to access the country’s leading tennis facilities, which Community Sports Officer Michael Lowne said will inspire them to try and achieve great things:
“This type of event isn’t about winning. For these kids, to have the opportunity to come to such incredible facilities and be inspired by these surroundings is such a privilege. I’m not sure how many tennis stars have come from east London but opportunities like this dare these kids to dream.”
As if the event itself was not enough, the pupils were treated to a day out at the All England Club at Wimbledon, courtesy of the Premier League. They had the chance to see the stars of the game battle it out on the greatest stage of all, including the Williams sisters in the women’s doubles competition.
The Premier League 4 Sport programme sees the Foundation use the power of West Ham United to engage young people from the local community to take part in sports sessions that are not football-specific.
Siobhan Atkinson, Community Development Executive, Premier League stated:
“It is great to see the continued positive effect that the partnership between British Tennis and the Premier League is having as we host our third annual Tennis Competition together during Wimbledon fortnight.
“The Premier League 4 Sport programme continues to grow and develop, this due in part to the great work by British Tennis and our clubs in working together to engage young people. Over 3,750 tennis satellite sessions have taken place nationwide over the past twelve months because of this great partnership.
“To be able to use the world-class range of courts at the National Tennis Centre again for this Premier League 4 Sport Tournament is tremendous for the young people involved and I’m sure it is something that they will remember for a long time to come.”
Rob Dearing, LTA Head of Participation added:
“The Premier League 4 Sport National Tennis Competition is a fantastic event for the kids that come along and compete against each other. It acts as a great reward for the young players that go to their satellite clubs on a regular basis and to experience not just the National Tennis Centre but the elite players and matches on display at Wimbledon on the same day provides them fantastic memories.”