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New program makes tennis fun for little ones
By JILL MEIER
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EmailJune 30. 2009 6:00AM
Tennis traditionally has been a game for big kids and adults. But a United States Tennis Association program, Grand Slam Tennis for Kids, has downsized the sport so that kids as young as 5 can play the game, too.
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Through the efforts of the Brandon Tennis Association, kids ages 5 to 10 now have the opportunity to learn and play the game here in Brandon. Thursday is the final night of the June classes; the July session is scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings July 7-30. Cost is $20 for the month-long program that’s offered from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at the courts in the Aspen Park Complex.
“Little League’s been doing something like this for years, and tennis finally figured it out,” said BTA vice president Tracy Rohlf.
The June session of classes drew about a half-dozen kids. Rohlf said more are registered for the July session. Drop-ins are welcome, too.
The BTA was able to introduce the Grand Slam Tennis for Kids program through a grant provided by the USTA.
“We really wanted to do something during the evening for kids, and we really thought there are so many kids not touched by the Monday through Friday Gladis Camp,” Rohlf said.
At the June 18 session, four youngsters ages 6 to 8 used kid-size racquets provided by the BTA and batted compression-less or large foam balls across a pint-sized net that took up only a fraction of a full-sized court.
“It’s all about sizing it down,” Rohlf said.
Sarah Jamison, a player on the Augustana College women’s team, is leading the Grand Slam program in Brandon. She went through USTA’s training and is teaching kids the basics of the game, working on their forehands, backhands and serves and teaching them how to score.
“At this age, it’s important to have fun with it, and to have fun with it, we have to keep their interests going,” she said.
Jamison keeps the kids’ interest with a variety of games, drills and activities.
“It’s been a lot of fun and they have a lot of energy,” she said.
Dianna Hood’s two children, Gracie, 8, and Colton, 7, look forward to their twice-weekly visit to the courts.
“They really enjoy it,” Hood said. “We were supposed to leave town tonight, but they begged me to stay, so we’re leaving tomorrow instead.”
Hood said she has seen her kids’ tennis skills improve this summer.
“I noticed from last year to tonight that they’re playing a better game,” she said.
Both of the Hood children were enrolled in Gladis Camp last summer, which she said was beneficial. But the smaller Grand Slam Tennis for Kids program seems to be a better fit at their age.
“The smaller courts aren’t as intimidating either,” she said.
Through the Grand Slam Tennis program, kids also are educated on the game’s four big events: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open.
“At the end of the four-week session, they’ll learn about a little geography of tennis,” Rohlf said.
Tennis isn’t only for the kids, Rohlf said. The BTA is looking into expanding their tennis offerings to senior citizens.
“We haven’t done it in Brandon yet, but Sioux Falls is promoting it,” Rohlf said. “It’s a short-court concept.”
View a photo gallery.
Through the efforts of the Brandon Tennis Association, kids ages 5 to 10 now have the opportunity to learn and play the game here in Brandon. Thursday is the final night of the June classes; the July session is scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings July 7-30. Cost is $20 for the month-long program that’s offered from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at the courts in the Aspen Park Complex.
“Little League’s been doing something like this for years, and tennis finally figured it out,” said BTA vice president Tracy Rohlf.
The June session of classes drew about a half-dozen kids. Rohlf said more are registered for the July session. Drop-ins are welcome, too.
The BTA was able to introduce the Grand Slam Tennis for Kids program through a grant provided by the USTA.
“We really wanted to do something during the evening for kids, and we really thought there are so many kids not touched by the Monday through Friday Gladis Camp,” Rohlf said.
At the June 18 session, four youngsters ages 6 to 8 used kid-size racquets provided by the BTA and batted compression-less or large foam balls across a pint-sized net that took up only a fraction of a full-sized court.
“It’s all about sizing it down,” Rohlf said.
Sarah Jamison, a player on the Augustana College women’s team, is leading the Grand Slam program in Brandon. She went through USTA’s training and is teaching kids the basics of the game, working on their forehands, backhands and serves and teaching them how to score.
“At this age, it’s important to have fun with it, and to have fun with it, we have to keep their interests going,” she said.
Jamison keeps the kids’ interest with a variety of games, drills and activities.
“It’s been a lot of fun and they have a lot of energy,” she said.
Dianna Hood’s two children, Gracie, 8, and Colton, 7, look forward to their twice-weekly visit to the courts.
“They really enjoy it,” Hood said. “We were supposed to leave town tonight, but they begged me to stay, so we’re leaving tomorrow instead.”
Hood said she has seen her kids’ tennis skills improve this summer.
“I noticed from last year to tonight that they’re playing a better game,” she said.
Both of the Hood children were enrolled in Gladis Camp last summer, which she said was beneficial. But the smaller Grand Slam Tennis for Kids program seems to be a better fit at their age.
“The smaller courts aren’t as intimidating either,” she said.
Through the Grand Slam Tennis program, kids also are educated on the game’s four big events: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open.
“At the end of the four-week session, they’ll learn about a little geography of tennis,” Rohlf said.
Tennis isn’t only for the kids, Rohlf said. The BTA is looking into expanding their tennis offerings to senior citizens.
“We haven’t done it in Brandon yet, but Sioux Falls is promoting it,” Rohlf said. “It’s a short-court concept.”
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Six-year-old Jake Jorgenson returns a hit during the June 18 session of the Grand Slam Tennis for Kids program in Brandon. Jill Meier / Brandon Valley Challenger |  |
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