The spirit of the Davis Cup is coming to St Albans and Harpenden this summer.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) have launched The Davis Cup Legacy project – a nationwide scheme to encourage youngsters to take up the sport after Great Britain brought home the trophy last year.

Specialised courses are being held at Batchwood Sports Centre, Verulamium Park, Harpenden Sports Centre and Fleetville Infant and Nursery School by a group of dedicated Davis Cup ambassadors.

All are qualified tennis coaches in their own right, who were specially selected and trained for the legacy project.

Dan Smith, who is running the course at Fleetville, says that it is an initiative to increase participation amongst children who have never played tennis.

He said: “It is an introduction to the game; learning forehand and backhand, learning to serve and volley, and there are a lot of footwork and coordination activities.

“It is a six-week crash course, basically learning all the shots with accompanying agility and balance exercises.”

The project involves 10,000 free introductory junior tennis courses, with 10,000 rackets given to the first to sign up, and the chance to see the Davis Cup trophy at over 100 venues across the country.

“The requirement is they are aged between five and eight and that they have never played tennis before,” said Smith.

“We have 10 on every course and waiting lists for some because every one is full.”

The Davis Cup itself is also on its way.

It will be on display at the Hertfordshire Sports Village in Hatfield, September 18, from 10am to 4pm.

Along with the trophy there will also be tennis challenges and mini tennis run by the project ambassadors throughout the day.

If you want to get involved in local tennis you should contact Alex Gooding, the head of community tennis and coach at Batchwood Tennis Academy, via the Batchwood Sports Centre on 01727 844250.