Tennis proving to be a successful racket
Teenagers warm up until their coaching session begins.
Tennis continues to be one of the Bay’s boom sports. There are opportunities to play for fun, fitness and serious competition for everyone from under eight-year-olds to out-and-out veterans.
Last Saturday The GB Weekly visited the Park Avenue courts to see younger players being coached and playing modified versions of the game—and having a very good time.
A feature of the Takaka club’s coaching approach is their use of young players as coaches. They have trained six community coaches, including some teenagers, and they are able to help the youngest players to learn the skills of the game. Two coaches from Nelson Tennis also come to the Bay every third week.
The success of local players may well be starting to reflect that coaching. Hamish Clark, Caitlin Lund and Mason Lund have all achieved great results in age-group tournaments over the Hill in the last few weeks.
Every Saturday young tennis players have hour-long sessions dedicated to their age groups, with the beginners at 9.30am and the teenagers at 1pm.
One of the teenage coaches, Holly Foxwell, says that she has really enjoyed helping younger players.
“I coach the little ones. It’s really satisfying seeing them get it right.” Holly says that coaching involves “connecting with kids and thinking of ways to keep them entertained.”
“I find it fun to help someone learn to overcome a difficulty or challenge.”
Holly also says that playing tennis is a nice way to socialise with people her own age and there are plenty of opportunities for adults to do that too.
On Thursdays at 6pm at the Park Avenue courts, the club organises mixed doubles tennis for adults. Players enter their names on the computer and the computer generates a draw.
“It’s all about having fun,” said player Tania Hurst. “Everyone is welcome, no matter what their skill or experience. And afterwards we often go down to the Roots Bar.”
Neil Wilson
