Club serves new tennis programs

MEMBERS of Bannockburn Tennis Club are looking to get new players out on court, with a new coaching team and regular social nights.

As long-serving coaches Paul and Sue Anderson have recently put down their racquets, coaching lessons will be carried out by Attack Tennis Academy staff.

Founder and head coach Julian Arnold will be involved, alongside two other ATA coaches. From Saturday, 1 October, he said he’ll be aiming to expand club offerings.

“The previous coaches were apparently coaching about 30 to 40 kids. I’m looking to coach about 100, 120,” he said.

“I’m hoping to really build the club and the junior program so we can hopefully get good enough to get some teams together for competitions.

“I’ll start with coaching the Hot Shots and junior group lessons for ages four to about year 8, and then hopefully junior development squads.”

The club is set to host their new weekly social evenings from Wednesday, 5 October, and alongside organising the younger teams, Arnold said he’ll also offer individual lessons and cardio tennis classes for adults.

Secretary Rachael Le Maitre said the new programs are about “opening up opportunities” and getting a wider range of people interested in the sport.

“It’s an exciting time. The social nights will be a great way for people to get involved with us and to meet like-minded people,” she said.

“Julian’s able to offer a broad range of programs, which in the past, we haven’t been able to do. We can have that diversity between absolute beginners, to the best in town.

“We just want as many people as possible to enjoy playing tennis here at the Bannockburn Tennis Club.”

The club’s facilities include two front courts with lighting, and four back courts.