ASYTS

Trust fundraising and awareness day 2013 - 11th May 4 to 6pm at Wandsworth Common

Come and see the Wandsworth players supported by the All Star Trust and join in our Wimbledon Ticket Ballot  event at Wandsworth Common - free to attend and everyone is welcome!

Want to run for the All Star Trust in 2013?

Would you like to run in the 2013 Royal Parks Half Marathon in October and help raise vital funds to support the All Star Youth Tennis Scholarship Trust?

The Trust - supported players are making brilliant progress but we need further funds as the charity is solely funded by you, the Wandsworth community. If you would like to run for us, please contact the Chairman of the Trust, Sean Molony at seanmolony1@gmail.com

We are delighted that we have one runner who is taking part in 100k Action Challenge events in May and September for the Trust - If any other super fit individual would also like to run or walk in these events please let us know. However, this is a clearly an exceptional distance and therefore sponsoring Nick in pursuing his goals may well be the preferred option! If you would like to support Nick and the Trust in his quest you can do so here:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2013-200

All Star Youth Tennis Scholarship Trust (ASYTS)

The All Star Youth Tennis Scholarship Trust (ASYTS) was set-up in 2007 to further the development of kids from the borough of Wandsworth showing significant promise in their ability to play tennis without sufficient parental financial means to take it to a higher level. The inspiration behind the ASYTS was Sebastian Wray who had dedicated himself to the sport of tennis and the Wandsworth Tennis Centre from the age of 11 and whom the coaches, Ben Jackson and Ben White at All Star Coaching, felt could benefit from a higher level of training and development which would ultimately be an advantage to the wider tennis community in Wandsworth. In 2008, Sebastian became the first beneficiary of the Trust and was given a grant to study at a Spanish Tennis Academy. Sebastian has subsequently gone on to become a successful full-time tennis coach at a local tennis club and put back into the Trust by coaching a regular weekly session in past years.

It is intended that the Trust will benefit many young people in Wandsworth who are dedicated to the sport of tennis and have shown the same exceptional commitment as Sebastian. Although the funds at the Trust’s disposal are relatively modest, the aspirations of the trustees for wanting to make a difference are high.

The Trust has been funded by a combination of individual gifts, sponsored events and an annual fund raising day and is administered by four local trustees, Sean Molony, Ben White, Ben Jackson and Chandra Sekar. The Trust has been approved for Gift Aid Status with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs which will be applicable to all donations provided a gift aid declaration has been obtained from the donor. The trustees involved with the Trust continue to contribute their services and knowledge voluntarily to maximise the amounts that can be given as grants.

The trustees also try to increase the awareness, remit and objectives of the Trust such that further potential future recipients of Trust Funds can be identified. The trustees would like to hear from potential future recipients and in this regard, Sean Molony, the Chairman of the Trust can be contacted on 020 77382869 or seanmolony1@gmail.com. We would be very grateful for contributions to the Trust from friends and fellow players - please help us by sending a donation, using where possible the Gift Aid Declaration, to : Noah’s Ark, Mill Street, Boltonsborough, Glastonbury, BA6 8RJ

Current Focus of the All Star Youth Tennis Scholarship Trust

It is intended that the Trust will benefit many young people in the borough of Wandsworth showing significant promise in their ability to play tennis without sufficient parental financial means to take it to a higher level without the help of the Trust. The Trust is currently focusing on high performance training sessions with leading coaches for our most promising prospects. In 2013, the trustees have concentrated our resources on the coaching and development of six children that we have identified as being particularly suitable to be beneficiaries of the Trust. All these children have shown high levels of ability and a strong desire to be champions. Their enthusiasm for additional high performance coaching and development funded by the Trust, that would be difficult for their parents to afford without our help, has endorsed our commitment.

The following comments provide some details on the focus of the activities undertaken by the coaches involved together with comments from the children and their parents on how they have benefited from the work of the Trust.

Deji Thomas-Smith
Ben Jackson, an All Star coach and one of the trustees, has given Deji weekly one-to-one coaching sessions. He has taught a diverse range of technical, physical and mental tennis skills. This has covered such aspects as strength, speed, agility, focus, concentration, attitude, ambition, technique and even included some of Ben’s specialist knowledge in warm-up, stretching and breathing exercises.

"Deji has a good temperament, is learning well and his technique has improved. All in all, he has made great progress."
Ben Jackson

“All of the sessions that I have attended through the All Star Tennis Trust are great and help all of your tennis skills. You are never standing still. The sessions are very intense and you can be free and creative, improving your game using all learnt skills in tournaments and matches, eventually you can beat your parents.”
Deji Thomas-Smith

“The All Star Youth Tennis Scholarship Trust has provided my son with the tools, support and conducive environment needed to enable him to develop his tennis. This has come in the form of one-to-one and group tennis coaching, group fitness/agility coaching as well as the provision of court time and accessibility. These have all been instrumental in his tennis growth and development providing firm foundations upon which to build. Such a positive group of professionals dedicated to identifying and nurturing young talent.”
Wale` Thomas, father of Deji Thomas-Smith

Beau and Rise Chambati-Woodhead
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience of the All Star Tennis Trust and much appreciated it. It was a great moment when I got into the program and even greater when my coaching started. So far I have worked on all aspects of my game and have improved greatly overall as a player which has therefore improved my rating and tournament status. The coaches are very friendly and helpful and have also helped me in many different aspects of my game; I know that if I ever need any help, there are always coaches willing to help me. Another great aspect of the program that has recently been introduced is playing at the N.T.C as that has given us great facilities and motivation for future play. I would like to give a special thank you to Nick, Will, Matt, Ben White, Ben Jackson and Sean who have all either given me help personally to my game or to the program. I would also like to add that I am greatly looking forward to all upcoming lesson and fixtures.”
Beau Chambati-Woodhead

“At the All Star Tennis Trust, I have had absolutely amazing coaching from many different coaches; I can tell the trustees have worked very hard to get this for me. I think all the coaches and people connected to the Trust are all really nice and helpful. With the Trust my game has really improved and I have had a really enjoyable time. I would love next year to be the same.”
Rise Chambati-Woodhead

“Speaking both for my two boys and also myself I would like to say a few words about the last year since Beau and Rise have been supported and coached by the All Star Tennis Scholarship Trust. We are so pleased to be a part of the trust squad and both boys have benefited hugely from the years work. There has been a lot of work undertaken by trustees, coaches and administrators and we would like to thank them all. The coaching with Nick Jones has examined the boys technical strengths and weaknesses and has changed the fundamentals of their game from the basis of his knowledge and experience at the top levels of the game and his patience and commitment has really paid off in the step up that is apparent in both Beau, Rise and the rest of the regular squad members game. The generosity of everyone involved including the administrators and the trustees is really appreciated and the squad has both grown and continues to expand and develop with clay court sessions at the National Tennis Centre and the fitness programme in the Nature Centre. We would like to also thank specifically the two Ben's (Jackson and White) for their initiative and commitment; Sean Molony for heading up the Trustees and putting in so much time, and everyone involved for generating such a great spirit at both the Trust squads and at the All Star Wandsworth Common centre throughout the year. We are looking forward to the next year with all the challenges and successes that it may bring to the whole squad as it moves forward.”
Michael Chambati-Woodhead, father of Beau and Rise

Iman Garshong
The Trust supports Iman Garshong in her tennis development. Iman receives regular squad training sessions each week as part of an intensive program at Dukes Meadows. The Trust funds individual lessons for Iman to further enhance her development and this is proving to be highly beneficial. She also attends the weekly dedicated fitness session run by the Trust.

Squad Sessions

Squad sessions and individual lessons have principally been run by Matt Garnham, Hannah Collin and Nick Jones who are all locally based high performance coaches. Nick also acts as a consultant for the Trust and as well as providing technical and training points for the children, Nick Jones has also helped to advise the trustees on the future direction of development needs of the children. Fitness sessions are another key aspect and are run weekly by Ben Jackson.

Summary

"Having worked with and watched these performance players for the last year I have been very impressed by their development which is largely due to their focus and commitment to their training program. We have provided a balance of individual lessons, squad sessions, and physical training sessions, which has proved a valuable combination. They are an impressive group of individuals, each with the kind of attitude that will benefit their future development."
Ben Jackson

Previous beneficiaries of the Trust

The Henrys children
Steve Alger has trained Rashard and Aliya Henry at the National Tennis Training Centre at Roehampton on a weekly basis. Steve is a freelance high performance coach and was until recently one of the senior coaches at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. He still plays at the highest level and recently won a veterans tournament at Wimbledon. He has particularly focused on the philosophy of winning with Rashard and Aliya. This has covered everything from pre-match preparation through to mental attitude, confidence and the necessary technical skills. The children now have a greater breadth of skills which has been built upon their raw talent. Steve has worked on their understanding of the zones of the court, when you attack and when you defend, volleys, the short game, spinning techniques, back swings and the subtlety of hitting the ball. Steve has observed the considerable improvement that both children have made with less unforced errors and more consistent technique.

Rashard Henry
“I like my sessions with Steve because every week I learn something new. I have learnt to be a pragmatic player. This year I have progressed so much. I am so grateful to Steve and The All Star Tennis Trust at Wandsworth. Thank you.”
Rashard Henry

Aliya Henry
“I would just like to say thank you so much for supporting me over the last year. I have come a long way in so little time. The one-to-one sessions with Steve have helped me lots! I really look forward to my sessions with Steve because he is patient, nice and a great person to be around. Steve has taught me to be a pragmatic tennis player. His coaching has really helped me to improve, especially my backhand. I know that Steve will help me to become a champion one day.”
Aliya Henry

“We are so grateful for the opportunity provided for our children by the Wandsworth All Star Tennis Trust. There is no doubt that without this support we would not have been able to provide our children with this experience, for this opportunity we are eternally grateful. The one-to-one sessions that Aliya and Rashard receive from Steve are invaluable. His approach and coaching style naturally and instinctively developed through his ongoing years of playing experience has provided an in depth knowledge and understanding not only to the children, but to our whole family in terms of the level of commitment and dedication required to reach the highest level. Steve has provided a holistic approach to the tennis, both on and off the court; from the basics of preparing equipment and tennis bags to the very technical details of preparing the perfect backhand. This level of coaching will undoubtedly provide a solid foundation for Aliya and Rashard to continue to grow in their tennis development, eventually achieving their ultimate goal! As a family we really look forward to continuing this journey. Thank you for your generosity and continued support. Forever thankful.”
Parents of the Henrys children

Ethiopia

The Trust has also set-up a tennis development program in Ethiopia with assistance ranging from supporting ball boys to intensive courses for local coaches in how to best teach promising children to play tennis. Earlier this year, Ben Jackson, once again spent ten days in the capital city of Addis Ababa running these intensive courses. The Trust has also supplied racquets and balls for the children.