Grassroots Tennis Start-Up Introduces More Than 700 Children in Its First Year

Linda McMahon set up Linda Mac Tennis Coaching in September 2025 with the fairly modest ambition of getting more local children onto a tennis court. A year on, more than 700 children across North Herefordshire and South Shropshire have taken part, with the programme spreading through schools, leisure centres and community courts far faster than a typical first-year start-up.

The coaching team has run sessions across four primary schools and three secondary schools in the region, reaching plenty of children who'd never picked up a racket before. McMahon, recently named Shropshire Coach of the Year, said watching that first experience turn into something more lasting has been the most rewarding part of the job. “For many, it starts with a short session at school, but it can quickly develop into a real enthusiasm for the sport,” she said. “Watching their confidence grow as they learn new skills and make friends is incredibly rewarding.”

A number of children have stuck with regular coaching beyond that initial school session, and parents have increasingly joined in too. McMahon said that shift has changed the shape of what the programme actually is. “It has been wonderful to see parents getting involved alongside their children,” she said. “Tennis can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, and when families are playing together it creates something much bigger than a coaching session. It helps build a lasting community around the sport.”

Much of that comes down to how the coaching is structured. Coaches are based directly in the towns and villages they work in, rather than travelling in from elsewhere, which has helped the programme build genuine, lasting relationships with local schools and families rather than one-off sessions with no follow-through.

Participation remains the priority, but competitive results are already following. Several young players now represent Shropshire at county level, including in County Cup competition, and two have progressed into a performance academy in Shrewsbury.

McMahon said the numbers speak to exactly what the programme set out to do. “Our aim has always been simple: to make tennis welcoming, accessible and enjoyable for as many people as possible,” she said.

“To have introduced more than 700 children to the sport during our first year is something we're incredibly proud of, and we're excited about continuing to build opportunities for local children and families.”