MOUNT Prospect Tennis Club is looking for children to grab a racket and play tennis over the summer months.<\/p>\n
The sessions, running in term four of this year and term one of next year, will take place on grass courts in Creswick and provide an opportunity for physical activity.<\/p>\n
Junior director, Casey Preston, said the club wanted to spread the word about their facilities to the broader community and get more young players involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe find that a lot of people in Ballarat don\u2019t know we\u2019re out here and what great facilities we have,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have multiple competitions and multiple sections with around 100 kids every year.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are a range of activities on offer for young people aged five to 18.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cater for girls and boys with mixed teams and a Hot Shots program for five to eight-year-olds with an accredited coach,\u201d said Preston.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe then have a development program for those who have done Hot Shots for a couple of years and have learnt the fundamentals of tennis, that\u2019s generally eight to ten-year-olds.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom then up we run under 11s, under 14s and under 17s competitions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Casey said the club has a friendly atmosphere and many friendships are formed by the children.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the best thing about Mt Prospect is the relaxed environment so a lot of kids can choose who to play with so they can play with their friends,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey really enjoy the social aspect and it\u2019s very much a social competition so they can have a bit of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
As well as making new friends, participants can get active and develop their confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt builds children\u2019s confidence because we\u2019ve had a lot of young kids sign up and are a bit reserved or a bit shy, and they gain their confidence meeting people through the association,\u201d said Preston.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got three children that play and their confidence from playing with new people and giving it 100 per cent effort brings out their best.\u201d<\/p>\n