CHILDREN from local schools were brought together for an afternoon tennis festival.

Sponsored by Totally Tennis and held at the indoor centre last Wednesday, it was organised by tennis development officer Alison Beard.

The children, who were all year 4 pupils, attend St Bede's primary school, which is part of the Bishop Challoner cluster of schools.

Along with Year 1 pupils from St Anne's primary school, they have received a six-week curriculum and after-school programme developed by Totally Tennis at their respective schools.

The festival was a culmination of the programme and it gave everyone a chance to meet others and practice what they have learned in their lessons at school.

The schools programme is run in line with the guidelines of the new Government, scheme and the schools sports co-ordinator (SSCO) programme, encouraging children to participate and enjoy physical education and sport, both in and after school.

As part of this initiative, to motivate children to be physically active, Totally Tennis offers each child at every school follow-on opportunities, by giving them each a voucher to attend a Munchkin Club free of charge at the indoor courts.

Another part of the programme is talent spotting the more able children, giving them additional opportunities to develop by playing on a regular basis.

Beard is working in partnership with Totally Tennis to give over 30 Basingstoke infant, junior and primary schools free six-week coaching courses for all Year 1 and Year 4 pupils throughout this school year.

A festival follows at the end of each half-term. This programme is an enhancement of Totally Tennis' already hugely-successful schools outreach programme that runs annual tennis coaching programmes, curriculum coaching and after-school clubs in schools throughout the local area.

Beard said at the festival: "I would like to thank Totally Tennis for their commitment to both the SSCO programme and their fantastic schools development tennis coaching programme in Basingstoke.

"The festivals are always a great success and it's great to be able to hold it at such a superb facility, giving children the opportunity to practice their skills on a real tennis court."

Jo Brett, Totally Tennis schools co-ordinator, said: "We are always looking to enhance and develop our schools programme and it's fantastic to see children coming to the indoor courts to play tennis during the school day."