Juniors

We are delighted to have a thriving Junior membership which has been built up over many years by the hard work of our volunteers and club coaches. There is a strong Junior Coaching Programme – open to members and non-members - with group classes for all ages from 4-17 years old.  We also run Junior Club Nights on Friday evenings from 5.30pm - 6.30pm when juniors have priority over senior players.  You are welcome to come down and join in the fun on the courts, parents are encouraged to accompany their children.

During the colder months from September to April we have access to Benson Parish Hall for indoor Mini Tennis our under 8s.  Other coaching takes place on the all-weather courts with no additional charge for the use of floodlights.

Sessions follow the school calendar, with breaks for the holidays, and we endeavour to run Junior Tennis Camps in the school holidays. Junior courses are advertised before the start of term, usually by email to members, and currently cost £5.50 per session.

Over the summer we run a coaching programme on the outdoor courts, which encourages many juniors who do not play over the winter to return to the game.  There is a fun BBQ for all participants at the end of the summer coaching term. Full details of our current Junior Coaching Programme can be found by clicking on the left hand links.

We try to provide opportunities for juniors to play competitively in league and inter-club matches.  Benson won the AEGON Team Tennis Oxfordshire 12 & Under Boys Division 2 Blue in Summer 2010, and in the past, several of our juniors have gone on to play for the club in the senior leagues.  This year we have four teams playing in the LTA Leagues and anyone who would like to play in matches should contact Liz Bowles, Coaching Administrator, on liz_btc@ yahoo.co.uk who will try and fit you into one of the teams.

Over the summer Benson took part in the LTA Road to Wimbledon event, a round robin tournament for the U14s played at club, county and then national level with the chance for the winners to play at Wimbledon itself. We also took part in the Little League, a friendly inter-club competition for the U12s against local clubs including Watlington, Henley and Hambledon. Watch out for more details on how you can take part over the summer.

The Club is always looking for more help with the Juniors and we would love to hear from parents who can help or get involved with co-ordinating coaching, players, matches, social events, school liaison etc. Please get in touch if you are interested in helping out.