A BARRY tennis coach is set to become a hard hitter in the sport after earning the opportunity to train with a champion’s mum.

Mum-of-three Penny Mickelsen will take part in a training day with Judy Murray – coach and mum of Olympic and Grand Slam champion Andy, in Newport next month, November 20.

39-year-old Penny, a tennis coach with Vale Tennis Academy based at Barry Athletic Tennis Club and who switched from administration and full-time mum roles, is one of a select few female coaches in Wales to be invited to take part in Judy’s Miss-Hits programme.

Judy launched Miss-Hits - a fun starter tennis programme for girls age five to eight, in August, as four times more boys than girls were entering the sport and she felt it was important to do something to encourage more girls to try and enjoy tennis.

The 12 week programme, split into two six-week blocks, is an indoor activity.

Judy said: “We can use slow-moving, fun, colourful equipment that won't blow away in the wind or get wet. And neither will the kids. We use play equipment rather than tennis equipment, things like balloons, chiffon squares, hit mitts, frisbees and fluff balls.

“Miss-Hits is best delivered by female coaches and you must be trained to do so. It can be delivered in school gyms, community halls or even squash courts, as well as on indoor tennis courts because each class is created for just eight girls.”

Miss-Hits are a tennis playing girl gang made up of six animated characters and Billie the Ball Dog. Each character represents a tennis stroke - Faith Forehand, Bella Backhand, Valentina Volley, Sasha Smash, Selena Serve, Alejandra Ace. The girls learn about one character each week and each character has their own theme tune, warm-up dance, magic symbol, trick, game and shot.

The girls can learn more about tennis through following their adventures on the Miss-Hits website and by playing the KnockOut Tennis app which teaches them how to compete and keep score.

Penny, of Barry Island, said: “My main area of interest is mini tennis - tots to teens - so it fits my profile.

“I didn't even realise the origin of the email at first, and when I saw it was signed "Judy," I did a double take and got my husband to read it to check I wasn't imagining it.

“I was keen to attend the training anyway because I'm eager to keep improving my own coaching skills and expand my portfolio of courses, but when I realised Judy Murray was delivering the course, accepting the invitation was a no-brainer. Judy is my inspiration as both a tennis mum and a hugely successful coach. Her passion for getting kids on court, having fun and developing healthy habits for life mirrors my own, and having the opportunity to learn from her directly is a dream come true.

“Hopefully, the course I will be able to deliver following the training will be snapped up by girls in Barry and the Vale, and we will see a new generation of girls playing tennis.”

Penny is seeking reasonably priced indoor venues throughout Barry and Vale where she can host sessions - school halls, community centres, barns - no need for full sized tennis courts - so she can maximise availability and minimise cost.

Contact Penny via www.barrytennis.co.uk