Sport In Profile UK Issue 18 | Page 53

Pocklington WE'RE ON YOUR DOORSTEP Having a local office means we’re accessible, whether you need to make changes to your policy, make a claim or need financial advice. We can help you with: • Home Insurance • Car Insurance • Commercial Vehicle Insurance • Business Insurance • Retirement Planning • Protection NFU Mutual Financial Advisers advise on NFU Mutual products and selected products from specialist providers. We’ll explain the services we offer and the charges. Financial advice is provided by NFU Mutual Select Investments Ltd. For a real conversation about your insurance call 01759 302152 or pop in NFU Office, First Floor, 86a Market Street, Pocklington, East Yorkshire YO42 2AB Our Agents are appointed represen a ives of The Nat onal Farmers Union Mutual Insu ance Society Lim ted (No 111982) Registered in Eng and Reg stered O fice Tiddington Road S ratford upon Avon Warw cksh re CV37 7BJ Authorised by he Pruden ial Regulat on Authori y and regu a ed by the Financial Conduct Autho ity and he P uden ial Regulat on Authori y A member of the Assoc a ion of Br tish Insu e s For securi y and tra n ng purposes e ephone calls may be recorded and mon tored D-EDA796C1 Section is growing really well, having a fantastic relationship, not only with our neighbour Pocklington School, but all of the schools in the area which the Coach has visited and offered coaching and also the use of the Club’s courts.” 2017 “2017 started with a changed coaching regime. We went from our coaching being controlled by a company to appointing a new head Coach with a sole focus on Pocklington Tennis Club with strict eye on small class sizes and more lessons for all age groups. This twinned with holiday camps during school holidays at every opportunity. When the dark nights came along the club supported the coaching programme by hiring in temporary floodlights to continue the junior programme. The junior programme has risen dramatically from 20 juniors to over 80 and rising. This has enabled the Head Coach to take on another coach to help with coaching. A fantastic achievement in 12 months.” 2018 “The Club are in the final stages of funding with several partners which include the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Lawn Tennis Association and Yorkshire Tennis to provide the Club with floodlights together with a gate entry system to enable the club to be accessible to the general public who wish to play. It will be a marvellous facility not only for the Tennis Club but also for Pocklington and the surrounding area.” Youth “Youth development is hugely important to the Tennis Club as a sport we wish to promote active sport to our younger generation. The junior section of the club is thriving and all of the young people who come through our system will be able to play tennis and if some of them stop playing for whatever reason with the skills they have developed they can also return in the future. We have a full programme of tennis for the young at Pocklington, whether it is just social tennis or a future Wimbledon champion they have to start somewhere. The Club have the ‘Tennismark’ from the Lawn Tennis association which is hugely important as it governs the standard of safeguarding especially when working with and coaching young people. The Club have a designated safeguarding and welfare officer which should be a top priority for any sports club, not just tennis.” Progression “Our coaching system will flag any outstanding players to go further in the tennis system. We offer coaching and lessons and also have a junior club evening where they can play together and the stronger players are then welcomed into the senior club nights and teams. My wife started tennis when she was 12-13 years old (Some time ago now!) at Pocklington Tennis Club. Both her and her friend who were and still are strong players at the Club were told by senior members of the club they could not play as it was 6pm and was the senior club night. Times have most definitely changed for the better. If Juniors are strong enough to play they are invited to play with the seniors. The Club is currently offering free coaching to local schools and will host a schools tournament, the club’s courts are offered free during the day to schools if they wish. The Club’s LTA led “Tennis for Kids” initiative has been over-prescribed and the Club’s Coach is currently offering a further course.” Community “Pocklington Tennis Club is most definitely part of the community. Anybody, no matter what background, standard or ability are welcome at Pocklington Tennis Club. Our current project will make tennis available in the area and not just for the membership of the Club. The Club is accredited as a place to play tennis by both East Riding of Yorkshire Council as well as the Lawn Tennis Association. Both have excellent standards in such things as safeguarding and coaching etc.” Get Involved “Anyone interested in local sport should come and visit Pocklington Tennis Club. Someone will show you around (Probably me!), introduce you to everyone and get you playing tennis. We have a young and enthusiastic coaching team who have a whole range of activities whether it be cardio tennis, drills or one to one coaching they will fit in with your requirements. www sportip biz 53