Downe House students recently returned from a successful tennis tour to Portugal, where 26 girls from Upper Fourth (Year 9) and Lower Fifth (Year 10) took part in an intensive and rewarding training camp in the Algarve.

Staying at the Ria Park Hotel in Vale do Lobo, the group benefited from excellent facilities and a specialist coaching programme delivered by an experienced tennis camp provider. Across the week, students followed a structured schedule, with 1.5 hours of coaching in the morning and a further 1.5 hours in the afternoon, alongside opportunities to enjoy other activities such as padel.

Accompanied by Miss Gibbons and Miss Potter, the tour provided an opportunity not only to develop technical skills, but also to build confidence, independence, and team spirit. The warm weather and positive atmosphere created the perfect environment for both training and enjoyment, with students showing real commitment on and off the court.

Reflecting on the tour, Mr Josh Goodall, Head of Racquet Sports, said:

As Head of Racquet Sports at Downe House, I was delighted to lead our fourth tennis camp in Portugal this year. We took 26 students from Upper Fourth (Year 9) and Lower Fifth (Year 10) to the Algarve, where we stayed at the excellent Ria Park Hotel in Vale do Lobo and worked with a specialist tennis camp coaching company that delivered a high-quality and fun training programme throughout the week.

Accompanied by staff members Miss Gibbons and Miss Potter, it was a pleasure to see the students’ commitment and progress both on and off the court. Following an early flight and smooth journey, the group quickly settled into a structured daily routine, with 1.5 hours of coaching in the morning and another 1.5 hours in the afternoon. There was also time to enjoy the facilities, including padel, before coming together for dinner each evening.

The weather was fantastic, and the week was filled with energy, laughter, and a strong sense of team spirit. Most importantly, the camp provided an excellent opportunity for the students to develop their skills in preparation for the summer term fixtures.

We are already looking ahead to our next trip in 2028, with the possibility of expanding the tour to include an additional year group.

Students also reflected positively on the experience. Rose M (Lower Fifth) shared:

“The tennis tour to Portugal was a great experience and one I won’t forget, speaking for all the girls who went. The facilities were amazing and really helped us get the most out of every session. Being able to train and play matches every day in that kind of environment made a big difference and helped us all improve a lot, especially in confidence and performance. You could really see everyone making progress over the course of the trip. On top of the tennis, it was also a really enjoyable group experience, and overall it was a memorable and worthwhile opportunity for everyone involved.”

The tour not only strengthened performance ahead of the summer season, but also highlighted the wider benefits of sport — building resilience, confidence, and a strong sense of community among the students.