Tennis clubs, parks, and even the Cardiff Bay barrage are among the venues offering free tennis as part of the Great British Tennis Weekends to encourage people of all ages and abilities to try the sport.

The weekends, which continue on June 21-22, are being supported by Tennis Wales and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to encourage people to try out activities such as Cardio Tennis, Mini Tennis, receive tennis coaching or simply just turn up and play with their friends and family – all completely free.

The first Great British Tennis Weekend swung into Cardiff with over 500 local people taking to the courts for free tennis activities across the whole weekend.

The next three Great British Tennis Weekends across June and July will see even more  Cardiff and The Vale residents and local families attending free events in parks and clubs across the area.

The first of the weekends saw parks and clubs offering free opportunities to pick up a racket as tennis fever truly began to grip the nation in the lead up to The Championships, Wimbledon.

Venues provided rackets and balls, enabling those that attended and had never tried playing tennis before to get involved straight away and not be limited by their ability, age or experience.

The remaining ‘Great British Tennis Weekends’ are:

  • Saturday 21st – Sunday 22nd June
  • Saturday 28th – Sunday 29th June
  • Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th July

Clubs taking part include:

Rhiwbina LTC – 22nd June & 28th June

David Lloyd Cardiff – 21st/22nd June, 28th/29th June & 19th/20th July

www.greatbritishtennisweekend.com

Tennis Wales Regional Participation Manager Simon Clarke said: “It’s great to see local people getting behind this fun, community-driven initiative. At venues across Cardiff and The Vale we saw a real mix of local residents, family members and those of all ages and abilities getting on to the courts, picking up a racket and trying their hand at our range of free tennis activities.   With so many park sites and clubs right across the region running more Great British Tennis Weekends through June and July, I hope even more families grab the opportunity to take part in these fantastic events and ready themselves for what is set to be South Wales’s biggest ever summer of tennis.

“In partnership with Tennis with A ‘DIFF, making tennis more accessible, achievable and affordable for Cardiff we will be spread around the city throughout the summer bringing the game to more people.”

Friday 13th/20th/27th June and 4th July – Cardiff Green outside City Hall 12.30pm to 2pm – All Ages;

Sunday 22nd and 28th June & 6th July – Cardiff Bay Barrage (next to the skate park) – All Ages

Tennis Wales is also providing plenty of easily accessible and free parks sites for the whole family to take part in:

Saturday 21st June – 11am to 2pm – Llandaff Fields – all ages;

Saturday 21st June – 2pm to 5pm – Roath Pleasure Gardens. – all ages;

Sunday 22nd June – 1pm to 4pm – Llandaff Fields – all ages;

Sunday 7th September – 1pm to 4pm – Llandaff Fields – all ages.

Families can book in advance online and find out more information about local venues at www.greatbritishtennisweekend.com and for more information on Tennis in Cardiff visit www.tennisincardiff.com