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Dunblane Cluster Primary School
Tennis Taster Program 2016
1 CONTENTS
2 Aim of the Program............................................................................................................................. 1
3 Who is INVOLVED?.............................................................................................................................. 2
4 The Schools......................................................................................................................................... 2
4.1 Dunblane Primary School............................................................................................................ 2
4.2 Newton Primary School............................................................................................................... 3
4.3 St Mary’s Primary School ............................................................................................................ 3
4.4 Doune Primary School................................................................................................................. 4
4.5 Deanston Primary School............................................................................................................ 4
5 Cluster Schools Tennis Competition.................................................................................................... 5
6 Conclusion and recommendations...................................................................................................... 6
2 AIM OF THE PROGRAM
The aim of the Dunblane Cluster Primary School Tennis Taster Program is to give children in P3 and P4
an opportunity to play and receive tennis coaching with in school, cumulating in the cluster school’s
tennis competition run by Active Stirling.
Dunblane Sports Club have run taster sessions in the Dunblane schools for a number of years in various
different formats. One off sessions, afterschool sessions, lunch time sessions, and one off sessions held
at the sports club.
In 2016 the format for delivery was; all 5 schools in the Dunblane Cluster receiving 3 sessions during
curriculum time by a qualified tennis coach.

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3 WHO IS INVOLVED?
The Program was organised by Dunblane Cluster Active school’s co-ordinator Hazel Dean, and Dunblane
Sports club’s tennis coach Cameron McMillan.
The program was delivered by Dunblane Sports Club. 2 qualified tennis coaches were used; Cameron
McMillan and Jenny Tattersall. Jenny delivered the Doune PS session and the Cameron the remaining
schools.
All primary schools in the Dunblane cluster took part and for the 1st
year Deanston PS was involved in
the Dunblane cluster.
Below is a breakdown of the school and what they received.
School Numbers
attended
Number of
class
Total Time
received by
school
Session
Length
Total Each
Child Received
Dunblane PS 134 5 9 hours 30 mins 1 hr 30 mins
Newton PS 106 4 9 hours 45 mins 2hrs 15mins
St Mary’s PS 20 1 3 hours 1 hr 3 hrs
Doune PS 40 2 4.5 hours 45mins 2 hrs15mins
Deanston PS 40 2 4.5 hours 45mins 2 hrs 15 mins
TOTAL 340 Children 14 Classes 30 Hours
4 THE SCHOOLS
4.1 DUNBLANE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Dunblane Primary Schools tasters were delivered by Cameron McMillan on Thursday 21, 28 April & 5
May. The school were well organised, class teachers were aware of the sessions and their time slot. DPS
had all necessary equipment apart from 30 Mini red tennis balls, these were supplied by the Sports Club.
The 1st
session was delivered outside due to the nice weather, the next 2 sessions were delivered in the
Games hall and Dining hall. With a class of 29 children to be able to have a rally over a net was a
challenge due to the space confinements when inside.
All the class teachers engaged with the sessions and assisted
with management of the class.
The sessions consisted of basic ball and racket skills, hand/eye
coordination, fine and gross motor control skills, basic tennis
technique and simple tennis rules.
The children remarked on how fun and enjoyable the sessions
where and the sports club have seen an increase in children
from P4 at DPS attending coaching

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4.2 NEWTON PRIMARY SCHOOL
Newton Primary School tasters were delivered by Cameron McMillan on Tuesday 24, 31 May & 7 June.
The school were well organised, class teachers were aware of the sessions and their time slot. They had
the children ready to go ensuring they got as much time as possible.
All 3 sessions were located outside in the playground
due to the great weather. The playground was ideal
with plenty of space and a hard tarmac surface. All the
teachers engaged with the sessions and assisted with
class management.
The sessions consisted of basic ball and racket skills,
hand/eye coordination, fine and gross motor control
skills, basic tennis technique and simple tennis rules.
Due to Newton PS sessions being later in the term the
school only had 1 session before the school’s
competition. This could not be helped a there was not
a suitable time for the school and coach. A Dunblane Centre youth worker attended the school and
provide extra tennis sessions before the school’s competition.
Mr Edwards the P4WE teacher commented; “I was very impressed with the tennis tasters that were
provided. They were very well structured, showed good progression through the 3 sessions and the
coaches style and delivery was very professional and measured. I learned a lot and dredged up some
memories from my own tennis lessons!”
Mrs Sharp the P3S teacher commented; “P3S loved the tennis tasters. They were very well organised
and built the children's skills week by week most effectively. All the children were engaged and as one
child commented “We love tennis!" A game of racquet rounders with the P.E teacher reflected the
improvements made in both hitting with a racquet and catching a small ball. “
Newton Primary entered 3 teams into the school’s completion due to the high number of pupils
interested. This was reflected in the children’s enthusiasm during the sessions and the high numbers
that already attend Dunblane Sports Club coaching.
Going forward the school would benefit from an after-school tennis club to keep up the interest all year
round and continue to develop links between DSC and the school. This could possibly be done in
partnership with Active Stirling and Club Sports Stirling.
4.3 ST MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
St Mary’s Primary School tasters were delivered by Cameron McMillan on Tuesday 19 April & 3 & 17
May. The school were well organised, class teacher was aware of the sessions and their time slot.
However, with the session being planned straight after lunch there was often delays in getting the
children in from lunch, changed and back out, resulting in a 1-hour session being 45mins.

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The school had all necessary equipment and it was easily accessible. All 3 sessions were located outside
in the bottom playground. This gave enough space for the sessions. The class teacher was present at all
times and joined in with the session.
The sessions consisted of basic ball and racket skills, hand/eye coordination, fine and gross motor
control skills, basic tennis technique and simple tennis rules.
Mrs White Head teacher commented “Our children thoroughly enjoyed the tennis taster sessions”
Mrs White also commented on the challenge of timetabling the sessions “We recognise that the
timetabling was a challenge due to other commitments, however if there had been greater consistency
to the timetabling then that would have been better.” This was due to the coach having other
commitments to sports events in the Dunblane Cluster.
Mrs White asked the question if it would be possible for the school to have their taster session held at
the tennis courts due to the proximity of the school and club. This is something that will be considered
for future programs.
4.4 DOUNE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Doune Primary School tasters were delivered by Jenny Tattersall on Monday 18, 25 April & 9 May. The
school were well organised, class teachers were aware of the sessions and their time slot.
All 3 sessions were located in the gym hall. There was a limited amount of space but just enough for the
sessions. The class teacher was present at all times and joined in with the session.
The sessions consisted of basic ball and racket skills, hand/eye coordination, fine and gross motor
control skills, basic tennis technique and simple tennis rules.
A number of the children popped in and out of class to attend their music lessons during the tennis
time, resulting in a slightly fragmented session.
Mrs McNair Head teacher of Doune Primary said “All the children in both classes enjoyed the
experience. The sessions were just long enough although space was tight due to small hall and more
than 20 pupils per class. Teachers gained ideas to do with the children as part of rhythm and
coordination drills.”
Doune Ps did not enter the school’s competition this year.
4.5 DEANSTON PRIMARY SCHOOL
Deanston Primary School tasters were delivered by Cameron McMillan on Thursday 19, 26 May and 2
June. The school were well organised, class teachers were aware of the sessions and their time slot. The
school had all necessary equipment, however sports club balls where used to avoid mixing them with
the schools.

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The 1st
and 2nd
sessions were located in the gym hall. This provided a
challenge especially with the older class as space was a major issue. The
majority of these sessions was spent working on ball control, co-ordination
and movement games as there was very little space to have a rally over the
net.
Going outside was not an option for these sessions due to the weather. The
3rd
session was located outside in the playground and this provided far more
space and resulted in the final sessions being all racket and rally based. This
proved extremely popular with the children.
This was Deanston Primary’s first time being involved with the Dunblane cluster tasters, this has now
created a link with DSC and hopefully this will be built upon in the coming year.
Mrs Nicolson class teacher at Deanston PS commented “I thought the sessions were fantastic - the
coaching was excellent, the children were all involved all of the time, they learned new skills and most
importantly enjoyed themselves. I could see how well their tennis skills had improved in just three
sessions.”
5 CLUSTER SCHOOLS TENNIS COMPETITION
The Dunblane cluster schools Tennis completion was held at Dunblane Sports Club on Friday 27th
May. 3
out of the 5 schools attended with each school playing against each other. Dunblane and St Mary’s both
brought 2 teams and Newton brought 3 teams.
The winner of the Dunblane Cluster competition was Dunblane 2, 2nd
was Dunblane 1 and 3rd
was
Newton 1. Both Dunblane PS teams went on to represent Dunblane cluster at the finals held on Monday
13th
June.

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In the final Dunblane 2 came 1st
winning the whole competition and Dunblane 1 coming 2nd
.
6 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This year’s tennis taster program was the biggest program we have run to date for the schools. This year
was also the first year that it was completely funded by Active Stirling. In previous years the coaches
have given up their time on a voluntary basis. The total cost of the Dunblane cluster tasters was £450 in
coaches’ fees.
Dunblane Sports Club see this year’s program as a success with more children being given the chance to
play tennis and new links being formed with the schools.
We have seen approximately 15 children who took part in the tasters using the tennis club for the first
time since the tasters. However out of over 300 children only 4 have joined the sports clubs program in
addition to the 120 already in the program. This could be an area of focus over the following year.
The schools have all remarked on how positive the tasters have been and how the children have all
enjoyed them.
Dunblane Sports Club feel that this program should be continued next year and the links developed in
2016 can be strengthened and developed further in 2017.
To continue developing tennis in Dunblane schools this report recommends:
1. The continuation of the Tennis Taster Program in 2017
2. The continuation of the Primary School Cluster Tennis Competition involving the local clubs
3. The creation of an after school’s tennis session at 1 or more of the Primary schools.
4. Development of the links between DSC and the schools at both a competition level and a
coaching level.
Right- DPS
team 2
Winners
Left DPS team
1 Runners Up