Beth Addison* came home from school clutching a postcard that read, “Dear Mummy, would you like to play tennis with me?” For Beth and her mum, the idea of playing a sport together had seemed out of reach—until now. Thanks to a new free initiative in Birmingham called Rally Together, they took up the offer to play tennis at no cost, made new friends, and had an incredible time.
Rally Together launched just ahead of Wimbledon with a clear mission: to inspire women and children to embrace a lifelong love of movement, promoting happy, healthy, and active lifestyles. All sessions are completely free to attend. Plus, families who participate for six weeks receive a complimentary T-shirt, racket, and tennis ball to keep the fun going in parks or gardens.
Katie Strang, sports coach and EYFS lead for Rally Together, explained, “Our goal is to break down childcare barriers that often prevent women from getting active and to build a supportive community for mums and families.” Conducting the first session in early June, Katie pointed out the challenges women and girls face: “Sports participation among females is lower due to factors like cultural barriers and lack of accessible female teams. Many don’t want to play on boys’ teams, so opportunities are limited.”
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Sport England statistics reveal that four in ten women aren’t active enough for full health benefits. Approximately 13 million women express a desire to engage more in sports, yet 313,600 fewer women than men are regularly active. Even more concerning, only one in ten women from lower-income backgrounds feel a sense of belonging in sports environments.
With The Championships 2026 at Wimbledon running from June 29 to July 12, Katie hopes the event inspires more women and girls to join Rally Together, which plans to operate for at least a year. “No experience is necessary,” she emphasizes. “Just come along together. You don’t need to be good; beginners are very welcome.”
Mums have already approached the team, sharing that they’ve never played tennis before and want to learn. The program also aims to foster a community where women can bond over something beyond motherhood. “Having an extra interest helps make new friends and creates a support network,” Katie adds.
Delivered by Spark Active in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association, the project includes taster sessions in schools. After playing, children fill in postcards inviting a female relative—mum, auntie, or grandma—to join them. The sessions are open to mothers and children of any gender, promoting family fun and inclusiveness.
“We’ve chosen parks near schools to make access easy,” Katie says. “For some mums, activities like this are a first experience, especially when joining traditional clubs can be costly or intimidating.”
The free sessions take place on tennis courts at three Erdington parks with beginner-friendly coaching in tennis, pickleball, and other multi-sport games. Additional sessions for secondary school girls and holiday camps will expand the offering.
Bring your rackets and join the fun – Rally Together is making tennis welcoming and accessible for Erdington families this summer.
*Name changed to protect identity.