Stratford business that’s aiming to serve up tennis to toddlers
IT was love-all when Stratford couple Naomi Shearing and Ryan Bolton met over a tennis net.
Fast forward and the keen tennis players have a couple of juniors on board, sons Otis, two, and Milo, four, and a new business, Mini Tennis Stars, sharing their love of the sport with fives and under.
Naomi, 35, previously gave up her work as a dentist and launched Mini Tennis Stars in the district last month, with sessions taking place in Luddington on Fridays and in Tiddington on Sundays.
“I started the idea and it’s sort of my baby, really,” Naomi told the Herald.
The couple are both no slouches at tennis.
Naomi comes from a tennis-loving Stratford family, and first picked up a racket when she was two. She went on to represent Warwickshire from the ages of ten to 17, and played nationally at 16. She still plays doubles competitively.
Ryan is an experienced coach, working at Stratford Tennis Club and Warwickshire LTA, and is head of the Warwickshire under 10 boys.
“Ryan’s a senior performance coach, so he works with really high level juniors and has taken some to Junior Wimbledon level. He’s the perfect person to do the programme. Even though he works with high-performance juniors, he’s brilliant with all kids. And having our boys, who have so much energy, means we get great practise.”
The classes are grouped in four ages, ranging from 18 months to five years, and the couple are also assisted by two other coaches.
Even though a lot of professionals start playing tennis as toddlers, Naomi says the classes are of benefit to all the children.
“With toddlers we’re not expecting them to be able to have a rally or make perfect contact with the ball,” explained Naomi. “It’s very much about learning the essential skill set that can lead them to continue with tennis or can be transferred to other sports.”
Special equipment is used in the sessions, including balloons and special rackets to make things fun and simple.
“Tennis is probably one of the best sports to play,” continued Naomi. “It uses the majority of your body parts. It has elements of hockey, foot movements are like boxing, throwing includes twisting rugby moves. So there are lots of elements from different sports.
“For the toddlers, it’s also learning gross and fine motor skills, spending time with other children and learning to socialise. Being physical can really help with cognitive function, and makes you generally healthier – especially as children are away from screens and hopefully encourages them to be active in the future. Mostly it’s really important that they learn and exercise in a fun way.”
Even though they have only been going a few weeks sessions are already filling up.
“One mum said she thinks we've created something really special and unique, and another mum said that it's the best classes her child goes to,” says Naomi, delighted with the feedback.
To find out more visit www.minitennisstars.co.uk or call 07919 483 783.
