PENARTH Windsor Lawn Tennis Club has secured Community Chest funding from Sport Wales and Vale Sport and Play to launch new girls-only tennis sessions.

Running every Wednesday at 6pm at Evenlode Sports Hall, the coaching group is open to girls aged six to nine who are of beginner/improver standard.

All equipment is provided and each six-week course is offered at a discounted rate of only £18.

Head coach Robert Wedlake was thrilled with the project support, “Experience and research shows us that the factors that keep girls in sport are very different from those that appeal to boys. Holding these sessions indoors will ensure that our new players are protected from the elements while they enjoy a variety of team-based skills and activities. We are grateful to the Vale Sport and Play team for their continued support of tennis in the area”.

The club already has in place a girls-only group for ages 10-14 which runs every Tuesday alongside over 50 other weekly coaching squads on offer, for more information email info@tennissquad.net or call 07903 524456.

Half-term week saw the club’s more experienced players in tournament action at events in South Wales and beyond.

Niamh Sweeney, Jack Rees, Michael Strong and Felix Bockelmann-Evans all took part in the Autumn Open at Virgin Active Neath, and there was success at Canterbury for Addy Bradley-Glinister who won the 10 and Under event and joined his brother Max in the 12 and Under event.

At the Grade 3 10 and Under Winter Regional Tour where only the top eight entrants are selected, WLTC players made up half of the field, Addy, Michael and Leo Sullivan all performing well, with Zac Essenhigh scooping another title on the back of qualifying for a Grade 2 British National tour event in Nottingham.