What is HappyBats Tennis?
HappyBats Tennis was established in 2012 with the aim of providing a fun introduction to tennis for preschool age children from 2-5 years old via weekly classes in local halls. We aim to help children build a strong physical foundation for sport by developing their agility, balance and coordination as well as introducing them to tennis the HappyBats way, using music and rhymes!
Village halls and community centres provide the perfect environment for our classes; they enable us to use music to aid learning and build atmosphere, we can have our own indoor court, use a variety of balls, both in size and weight and we can continue all year round giving the children a great opportunity to develop their movement and tennis skills! See our classes page to find your nearest HappyBats Tennis class. We also do parties for children age 3 - 7 yrs old! They're great fun, even for children who haven't been to a HappyBats class before.
What does a HappyBats class involve?
Lots of fun and memorable moments plus
Each class is either 30 or 45 minutes long. Parents and guardians are required to stay with their child throughout and we encourage them to join in; children react very positively to this element of the classes. Parental/guardian involvement may involve doing activities with the child, supporting them or by encouraging the child to watch and listen to demonstrations. There may be parts of each class where the children will be working with each other, or with the coach, independently of the adult attending with them.
All equipment is provided; we use little racquets and soft sponge balls, plus other items from time to time aimed at challenging the children in different ways and making it fun and memorable.
All children are encouraged to bring a drink with them, wear trainers and are required to wear their HappyBats T-shirt to each class; the t-shirt must be purchased when signing up for the child's first term. Please see our Booking Conditions for what happens if you miss a class.
Village halls and community centres provide the perfect environment for our classes; they enable us to use music to aid learning and build atmosphere, we can have our own indoor court, use a variety of balls, both in size and weight and we can continue all year round giving the children a great opportunity to develop their movement and tennis skills! See our classes page to find your nearest HappyBats Tennis class. We also do parties for children age 3 - 7 yrs old! They're great fun, even for children who haven't been to a HappyBats class before.
What does a HappyBats class involve?
Lots of fun and memorable moments plus
- exclusive HappyBats music
- games
- physical development focus per term (agility, balance or coordination)
- a technical focus with relevant activities in each class
- 1 to 1 work with the accompanying adult (who may be required to "act" a little!)
- team and partner work
- social development; eg. listening, positive peer interaction, perseverance and independence.
Each class is either 30 or 45 minutes long. Parents and guardians are required to stay with their child throughout and we encourage them to join in; children react very positively to this element of the classes. Parental/guardian involvement may involve doing activities with the child, supporting them or by encouraging the child to watch and listen to demonstrations. There may be parts of each class where the children will be working with each other, or with the coach, independently of the adult attending with them.
All equipment is provided; we use little racquets and soft sponge balls, plus other items from time to time aimed at challenging the children in different ways and making it fun and memorable.
All children are encouraged to bring a drink with them, wear trainers and are required to wear their HappyBats T-shirt to each class; the t-shirt must be purchased when signing up for the child's first term. Please see our Booking Conditions for what happens if you miss a class.
Who are HappyBats Tennis?
Our HappyBats Tennis coaches are LTA Registered coaches, who have been CRB checked and carry a valid and up-to-date first aid certificate. They also must have had previous experience working with young children.
Fiona O'Sullivan
Founder and Head Coach of HappyBats Tennis
Fiona is an LTA level 3 Registered coach and also a qualified Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. As a child she participated in a wide range of sports, both during and after school, including netball, hockey, swimming, volleyball and athletics but dedicated most of her time to becoming a professional tennis player where she achieved world rankings in both singles and doubles.
Having finished her playing career, Fiona's passion for sports led her to participate in the Flora London Marathon in 2002 and since then in several triathlons and the 3 Peaks Challenge. Fiona has experience coaching all age groups and is enthusiastic and passionate about giving children as many opportunities as possible to enjoy successful early participation in sports. Fiona is married and has 3 little girls.
Fiona is an LTA level 3 Registered coach and also a qualified Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. As a child she participated in a wide range of sports, both during and after school, including netball, hockey, swimming, volleyball and athletics but dedicated most of her time to becoming a professional tennis player where she achieved world rankings in both singles and doubles.
Having finished her playing career, Fiona's passion for sports led her to participate in the Flora London Marathon in 2002 and since then in several triathlons and the 3 Peaks Challenge. Fiona has experience coaching all age groups and is enthusiastic and passionate about giving children as many opportunities as possible to enjoy successful early participation in sports. Fiona is married and has 3 little girls.
Alicia Pawson
Coach, HappyBats Tennis
Alicia is an LTA Level 2 Registered Coach and is a qualified Teaching Assistant with experience working within primary schools. She has always had a keen interest in a variety of sports including marathon running, sprint triathlons and tennis. Alicia is currently trying to master wakeboarding whilst also training for the Bournemouth Half Marathon in October. Alicia is married with 3 children.
Alicia is an LTA Level 2 Registered Coach and is a qualified Teaching Assistant with experience working within primary schools. She has always had a keen interest in a variety of sports including marathon running, sprint triathlons and tennis. Alicia is currently trying to master wakeboarding whilst also training for the Bournemouth Half Marathon in October. Alicia is married with 3 children.
