Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins has endorsed the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) Youth Schools programme, encouraging other schools in Chesterfield to join the 26 schools already benefiting from free tennis teacher training and a bag of equipment. 

In a bid to get more children active through tennis, Toby is proud to spread the word about the LTA’s scheme, which many schools in Chesterfield are already taking advantage of. The LTA would gives teachers the resources and training to help kids across Chesterfield get involved in tennis, as part of their campaign to ensure an hour of physical activity a day. 

Toby said: ‘It’s so important for children to get involved in sports from an early age. The reality is, with school budgets being so stretched as they are at the moment, physical education sadly takes a back seat. We have to make sure that this doesn’t happen and that children stay active, and the LTA’s campaign provides a welcome opportunity to do just that’. 

He added: ‘I’m delighted that so many schools in Chesterfield and Staveley have already signed up, and I’d encourage any schools looking to increase the physical health of their students to do the same’. 

Given that tennis in PE and school sport is almost gender equal, with 50.4% of participants being girls, this opportunity is particularly welcome to encourage greater female participation in school sport.