Scunthorpe United’s Sport and Education Trust are launching a new tennis initiative to coincide with Wimbledon.
The dramas of SW19 caught the nation last summer as Andy Murray became the first Brit to win the tournament since Fred Perry in 1936.
To help recreate that buzz the SUFC Trust will be launching their maiden pop-up tennis night on Friday 27 June.
Social inclusion Officer Wayne Johnson told Scunthorpe-United.co.uk: “Scunthorpe United’s Sports and Education Trust have partnered up with Street Games to deliver pop-up tennis courts in and around North Lincolnshire.
“We are offering young people the opportunity to get involved in tennis and sport.
“At the moment there are 130 pop-up tennis courts running up and down the country and we are hoping to make tennis more accessible to people,” he continued.
“Wimbledon has now started and with our first pop-up tennis club taking place this Friday we are hoping to create a buzz around the sport in a safe, fun and friendly environment.
“People aged 8-13 can take part in pop-up tennis at The Pods (next to the hockey pitch) from 6-7 on Friday while those aged 14-19 can take part between 7 and 8pm.
“An alternative venue is Melior Community Academy and again young people aged 8-13 can play between 6 and 7 and those aged between 14 and 19 can enjoy the sport between 7 and 8.”
Johnson added: “These activities are completely free and there is no booking required so you can just turn up and try a sport you might not have played before.”
When the United players returned for pre-season testing earlier this week several of the first team players got involved in the sport.
Manager Russ Wilcox joined striker Deon Burton and midfielders Sean McAllister and Terry Hawkridge in a game of pop-up tennis.
The first team squad enjoyed trying out a new sport and in the end Wilcox and Burton won the five-game match.
The United striker, whose daughter is a regular player of the racket sport, said: “I love the sport of tennis and my daughter plays regularly.
“It’s great exercise and it’s good to get out of the house and play tennis.”
Wilcox enjoys a game of tennis occasionally and his skill showed alongside Burton as they beat the midfield pairing of McAllister and Hawkridge 4-1.
“It’s fantastic for the kids that the community lads are getting out there and promoting tennis.
“For me it was nice to start the season off with a win and get the three points.”