Mini-Tennis @ HLTC
November 2005
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Mini-Tennis @ HLTCNovember 2005To return to the main page, please click on the clubhouse image. |
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Mini-Tennis
@ HLTC |
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HLTC has now been involved with Mini-Tennis for 3 years and over that period the programme, one of the largest in the West of Scotland, has gone from strength to strength. Numbers have steadily increased and the construction of the Mini-Tennis courts has provided greater flexibility for coaches and groups alike.
Mini-Tennis is designed around children's tennis ability rather than their age and some children develop much faster than their friends whilst others formulate their skills at a later age. Regardless of whether they are early or later developers there is a dynamic structure in place at HLTC to ensure that all children maximise their potential.
2005 has seen the introduction of Mini-Tennis Performance squads so those youngsters who show an extra special ability can now be offered additional support and coaching. When players not selected for Performance squads have completed the final stages of MT Green they progress on to the Silver group, which in turn leads on to the Boys/Girls Gold classes and possible team places.
Tennis West of Scotland runs summer league competitions at U12, U14, U16 and U18 level, as well as Red, Orange, Green, U10 and U11 tournaments, so there is always an event commensurate with the children's ability and experience.
Social
Review One of the most important criteria of any activity for children is that it should be fun and leave them wanting more ! To supplement the structured aspect of classes, the coaching team also runs a variety of social/fun events throughout the year.
Way back in May, on a glorious hot day, over 75 children sat down with their picnics at the Club and, once fed and watered, they spent the afternoon engaged in a variety of activities designed to improve their hand/eye coordination and ball skills.
Likewise in Septmeber (beautiful day again!) nearly 100 youngsters rolled up for an It's a Knockout games afternoon folloed by a delicious BBQ, expertly prepared by chef extraordinaire Derek Johnston !
Repeated during July and the first week of August was another hugely popular social fixture - the daily (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Come and Play sessions for chiildren between the ages of 3 and approximately 9. Under the watchful eye of invluable helper Emily Reid, the children could turn up with their friends, members and non-members alike, and have fun, practising their tennis skills and enjoying a variety of physical activities.
As a gentle introduction to matchplay, either Red, Orange, Green or Silver/Gold tournaments are held at the end of every month. The children are encouraged to enter these events and try out their skills in a slightly more competitive but relaxed environment.
All of the above events would not be possible without the encouragement and commitment of so many parental volunteers who willingly give up their time to help the HLTC coaching team. Thank you for all your tremendous support.
... not quite, but another new idea from the ever-active brain of Head Coach Steve Losh was a Pre-School group for children who had not reached the age of 3 by 31 December 2004. These classes provide a very early introduction to tennis and tennis-related skills and have proved to be a great success !
Mini-Tennis Orange and Green Preformance squads have now joined the coaching curriculum at HLTC. This group of girls and boys, specially selected by Head Coach Steve Losh, attend extra coaching sessions on a Wednesday evening and Saturday afternoon, where the ratio of pupils to coach is smaller than in standard classes.
Great emphasis is placed on stroke technique, which is reinforced by the repetitive drilling of balls, and the youngsters also learn tactics which are practised during the hour of matchplay on a Wednesday evening. All squad members are encouraged to attend Steve's fitness classes on a Monday evening to improve their strength, stamina and flexibility.
An even smaller group of chilidren from the above squads have been chosen to attend indoor coaching/matchplay at the Next Generation Club Anniesland on Sunday mornings. Under the expert guidance of Steve, the youngsters are guarenteed 2 hours of tennis well away from the vagaries of the Scottish weather ! With this abundance of talent, the future of HLTC looks very bright !
What
a RacquetRacquet sizes alter as chilidren grow older and bigger and as children progress through the Red, Orange and Green colour stages, different racquets may be required. The Lawn Tennis Association recommends a racquet size of 17"-23" for Red (maximum 23" for safety reasons), 23"-25" for Orange and 25"-26" for Green.
For further information please contact Steve Losh (01436-831698).
Red, Orange and Green Mini-Tennis balls differ from ordinary tennis balls in that they are softer and lighter and the Red balls are larger. Balls in all 3 colours are available to purchase from Ann Morison at £1.50 per ball.
HLTC has again entered 4 teams into the Tennis West of Scotland Winter Leagues which run from November-March 2006. We are running 1 Red, 1 Orange and 2 Green teams, each team comprising 4 children, either boys, girls ro mixed. The matches are on a Saturday afternoon at Scotstoun for the Red and Green teams and David Lloyd Renfrew for the Orange team.
The children's year of birth determines the team for which they are eligible. Steve Losh, Head Coach, will be in charge of team selection.
Age Levels for League Teams: - Born 1998 or later -Born 1997 or later - Born 1996 or later All teams performed very well over the 2004/2005 winter season but congratulations must go to the Helensburgh Red 'A' team who won their section during the January-March 2005 block of matches.
For further information please contact Ann Morison (01436-673974)
February-March Coaching April-June Coaching July-August Summer School
'Come and Play' SessionsSeptember-November Coaching November-February Winter League Matches Throughout the Year Fun Days, Mini-Tennis Tournaments and Social Events
Light Tokens
Playing or practising at night? Light tokens (£3 per token, duration 1 hour) are available from Ian Parlane (01436 673295) or from TG Allan Ltd, Ironmongers, 27 West Clyde Street. The token boxes for the lights are situated on the left as you enter by the main front door of the Clubhouse.
Security
In the interest of security, please would members check that all the external doors and windows are closed before they leave the premises. The Clubhouse and courts are open from 9am - 10pm daily; outwith these hours an alarm system is in operation.
Mini-tennis
People
Steve Losh Head Coach Jamie McDonald Assistant Head Coach Alan MacBeath Coach Katie Fulton Tennis Assistant Chris Robertson Tennis Assistant Ann Morison Coaching Convener