Free tennis sessions return to Heavitree

Published: 16 September 2020

Free tennis sessions return to the public tennis courts at Heavitree Pleasure Ground on Saturday.

The weekly sessions are run by national sports charity Tennis For Free in partnership with the LTA and Exeter City Council.

The sessions were suspended at the height of the Coronavirus pandemic but are now back as restrictions have eased.

Qualified coach Hussain Palejwala will lead the sessions, which will include fun group games. Tennis For Free aims to use tennis to improve the physical and mental wellbeing or members of the community across the UK.

The sessions will run on Saturdays, starting this weekend (19 September) from 10am until 11am and because of the current pandemic will initially be for over 12s only. Balls will be provided but people are requested to bring their own rackets.

Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure and Physical Activity, said: “It’s great to see these sessions back in Heavitree, where I am sure they will prove as popular as ever.”

Sessions are limited to 30 and people need to book in advance by going to Tennis For Free website 

Sessions are also running across the city on City Council-owned courts at Cowick Barton Playing Fields, also on Saturday mornings at 10am. Again, for bookings go to the Tennis For Free website 

Tennis For Free co-founder Patrick Hollwey said: “It has never been more important to get communities active again, especially those who have limited access to sport for various reasons. It is not just tennis, it is essential to continue the community spirit that has developed in these recent times, and what better way to do it than by getting everyone together on a tennis court?”