KIAMA’S aspiring tennis stars have been having an ace time learning the skills of the game.
Kiama Tennis Club is currently hosting a Tennis in Schools program run by Kiama Tennis Coaching.
Kiama Tennis Club head coach Joe Moseley said more than 130 enthusiastic Kiama Public School year 5 and 6 students participated in the program, which included high-energy music and tennis workouts called Cardio Tennis.
“It’s a Tennis Australia promoted program combining tennis with cardio exercises to provide a fun workout,” he said. “The pupils really enjoy the music, and this is a great introduction to tennis as well as being a fun cardio exercise program.
“We also made use of the Tennis Australia Hot Shots program, which sees us use tennis equipment that is modified for younger players, making it easier for juniors to get success hitting the ball.”
Moseley said they were also running a tennis championship at the same time, supported by the school.
“The entries were overwhelming this year with more than 50 boys and girls participating,” he said.
The tennis championship is set to conclude in the near future.
Moseley extended his thanks to all the teachers for their support in making the program run effectively, and to assistant principal Dianne Quill for recognising the importance of tennis and sport within schools.
Moseley said the coaches who provided the program – David Jones, Bjorn Myers, Dave Du Bois, Micheal Brown and Lachlan Parker – are always seeking new ideas to promote tennis within the Kiama community.
“We compete with a range of other sports,” he said.
“I am proud to say that tennis is alive and well in our community and our club.”
Moseley said the club also conducted programs with Kiama High School students.
Moseley said tennis was great for developing hand-eye co-ordination and was a life-long skill.
“Some people are able to play into their 90s,” he said.
“A lot of other sports you play in high school, then you stop playing.
“Tennis is a game that the whole family can play together, and there’s not many sports like that.”