NorthumberlandFITTING tennis into a busy lifestyle needn't be difficult - Morpeth Tennis Club has devised a coaching scheme to suit any schedule. As well as offering a full programme of coaching for all ages and abilities during the day, it's the early evening sessions that catch the eye of both busy individuals and families who can benefit from the club's extended hours. The tennis club shares its home with the cricket and hockey clubs and offers access to its six courts in the grounds of Longhirst Hall, with all facilities open to the general public. Head coach and club chairperson Pippa Hawes says: "We are determined to make tennis available to as many local people as possible. "It really doesn't matter what their age or ability is, we can provide a facility for them. "Achieving Beacon status and becoming an AEGON Parks Tennis site was fantastic for us because it was a reward for all the hard work and determination the people here have shown to make tennis accessible to the whole community."South WalesWELSH tennis lovers have been benefiting from free tennis sessions since Llantrisant Tennis Club was awarded Beacon status last year. The club offers free court hire at off-peak times, giving more players from the local community the chance to play. Llantrisant has made giant strides in the past few years, participating in the Rhondda Cynon Taf City Tennis scheme - a programme conducted with the ethos of providing tennis for all in the area. And the club's hard work was rewarded in December 2010 with its inclusion as an AEGON Parks Tennis site. "The Beacon status confirms our commitment to 'tennis for all' by ensuring facilities are available to the public and organised groups at very low cost, and often free of charge," says secretary Peter Full.PARTICIPATIONA great example of the four Ps of participation working together to get more people playing is the AEGON Parks Tennis Programme. Through this programme, tennis venues that are awarded with Beacon status are providing a broad variety of affordable tennis opportunities at quality facilities, delivered by focussed and passionate tennis people.Here we take a look at some examples of this activity from across the country...To find out more about the AEGON Parks Tennis programme go to the clubs, parks and schools area of the LTA website.BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHERi14

North LondonWHITE Hart Lane may be synonymous with Premier League football club Tottenham Hotspur, but it's not just footballs that are popular here. Tennis is thriving in the surrounding schools too. The facility is a hotbed of rookie talent, with local schools all benefiting from the club's coaching programmes. Around 20 schools in the East Haringey area are signed up to take classes at the club, with around 1,000 children receiving at least eight hours of tennis coaching per year. As well as that, the club also provides the opportunity for children in the local neighbourhoods to register for a free week-long tennis course. Tennis Development Manager Jemima Fleming says: "Since being awarded Beacon status, the AEGON Parks Tennis site has become a cornerstone for tennis in the community and serves as an excellent example for community tennis facilities to follow." BirminghamFAST-paced, high energy and calorie-burning - Cardio Tennis is creating a buzz in tennis and Billesley Indoor Tennis Centre is leading the way. The club offers weekly sessions, with coaches putting players through their paces with a programme of drills designed not only to boost fitness, but also to help with learning to play tennis. It's a social, fun class for players of all abilities - from those who have never lifted a tennis racket before to experienced players looking to maintain their fitness levels. Billesley Indoor Tennis Centre is open to everyone and no membership is required - making tennis accessible to the local community. Centre manager Denise Wilkins, who accepted the club's Beacon plaque at the end of March, says: "We are committed to providing affordable tennis, together with the opportunity to improve skills and enhance the enjoyment of tennis players at all levels."LancashireTENNIS coaches at Bolton have set about developing talented juniors with their superb LTA Mini Tennis coaching scheme. Four schemes are on offer at the Bolton Arena, from LTA Mini Tennis Red for those aged 8U, LTA Mini Tennis Orange for 9U, Junior Green for 10U and Junior Tennis for 11+. Bolton is one of the country's newest AEGON Parks tennis sites, having received its award during the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas tie with Tunisia, which took place at the Arena in March. Tennis manager Stuart Kay says: "We are dedicated to growing all levels of tennis in Bolton, offering quality coaching to elite and amateur players alike, starting at a young age through LTA Mini Tennis."PARTICIPATION15