A group of Fenland school children were given a tour of the National Tennis Centre after winning a national competition.

Cambs Times: children and adults from Park Lane and Sir Harry were all treated like VIP'Schildren and adults from Park Lane and Sir Harry were all treated like VIP'S (Image: Archant)

It was the second part of a prize Park Lane Primary School, Whittlesey, received after a three minute DVD they filmed promoting tennis in schools for a Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) competition was judged as the best in the country.

In November, pupils from Park Lane and Sir Harry Smith Community College enjoyed an all expenses paid trip to watch Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and the rest of the world’s top eight players compete in the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London.

Deborah Stroud, Park Lane teaching assistant and Sir Harry Smith’s tennis coach, said: “Upon arrival at the National Tennis Centre, we were treated like VIP’s.

“We were given a guided tour around the centre looking at the range of courts, sleeping areas and specialist gyms and treatment centres that are available, including a high altitude chamber which players sleep in to aid their recovery from injury.

“As we were walking through the centre, we were fortunate to see Greg Rusedski, Jeremy Bates, the ladies Fed-Ex cup team and a group of paralympians practising their tennis skills.

“After the tour, we received specialist coaching and took part in aerobic tennis which allowed us to practice our tennis skills whilst also considerably raising our heart rate.

“The highlight of the day was being led into centre court (the name for the office block) where the world premiere of our winning film was shown to all the staff and, after a standing ovation, we were presented with our award for winning.

“After an excellent lunch, we all returned back to school, enthused and excited about what we had just taken part in and looking forward to honing our tennis skills.”