With summer approaching, the hottest place for youth is at the Millicent tennis courts where a professional coach has been secured to run a junior development program.
Iconic seasonal sports including tennis are under way across the region and for Millicent and District Tennis Club there is a focus on youth development.
Among the initiatives is its annual Junior Development Program.
Millicent Tennis Club has been successful in securing professional coach James Phillips for eight weeks.
Mr Phillips has a number of coaching titles to his name, making him an exciting addition to the club this season.
He has previously coached with the Adelaide Tennis Academy.
As well as being a junior development coach, Mr Phillips is a Limestone Coast Regional Sporting Academy and South East Foundation Cup coach and also specialises in talent development.
Run throughout summer each year, the club’s junior program provides basic skills for children aged seven years and up, while a Tennis Australia Community Play Hotshots program is structured to suit those aged five to seven years.
Program coordinator Melissa McGrath said there were great benefits from coming out and having a go at tennis.
“We are excited to be able to share the news we have a professional coaching this year,” she said.
“Tennis can improve hand and eye co-ordination, getting active and you may meet some new friends.
“The vision is to have the juniors playing their own competition and having the chance to fill in for the senior side when the child is up to it.”
The Hotshots program is played on smaller courts with lighter racquets, lower nets and tennis balls that do not bounce too high.
“The modified equipment makes it easier and more fun to progress,” Ms McGrath said.
The programs have been designed to develop kids mental and physical ability.
“The vision is to have the juniors playing their own competition and having the chance to fill in for the senior side when the child is up to it,” Ms McGrath said.
According to Tennis SA tennis is amazing for developing coordination, speed, strength, and agility.
“Kids develop their social and problem-solving skills while playing in a team, and as individuals. Also, they learn how to cope with wins and loses fairly,” the association said.
Meanwhile the club has a senior team that play on Saturdays in the Southern Ports Tennis Association.
“We have our team competing in the Southern Ports again and would be great to have some more of the kids from the top coaching group being involved in this,” Ms McGrath said.
“We have a team manager organised for this team and all the kids that participated in this last year are all eager and excited to play another season.”
Players hail from Millicent, Furner, Beachport, Southend and Hatherleigh.
“It’s an opportunity to enjoy mixing with some people they normally do not mix with, meeting new people from away towns and there is a family aspect of tennis,” Ms McGrath said.
The Southern Ports season is under way until December 9 when it takes a break and recommences next year on February 3, with the season coming to and end on March 2.
For more information contact Melissa McGrath on 0408 849 423.
