NSTA Junior Tennis
JUNIORS. understanding the system and knowing where to start are sometimes daunting tasks to new junior players and non tennis parents. The following information may assist in making a start:
Tennis is controlled in New South Wales by Tennis New South Wales and all players competing in NSTA competitions and tournaments are registered, as required, with TNSW. TNSW can provide information on tournaments, events, squads, coaches and a wide range of information and may be contacted on: 9763 7644 orwww.tennisnsw.com.au
Most juniors start their tennis in a coaching school, learning the basics of the game either in private or in group lessons. There are no hard and fast rules for employing a coach - the most important thing is to find someone who has a good rapport with your child so that learning is both fun and informative. There is no set age at which it is best to begin - this is dependent on skill and concentration levels.
The NSTA is structured around tennis clubs , and it is best to join a club or coaching school in order to play competitive tennis. The club or coaching school will then partner you with a suitably graded plyer, and provide courts, balls, reserves etc.
When a child is able to serve overarm with reasonable consistency, and to keep score, he/she is ready to play competition tennis. The natural progression in a coaching school is to play in a team entered in the NSTA Friday evening, Saturday morning or Sunday morning competitions which are held each school term.
The NSTA conducts 'senior' competitions on Saturday afternoons and once juniors have progressed to a standard such that they can handle these grades, either their existing club will enter them in teams in the senior competitions, or they can join a club, and the competitions through that club.
The NSTA conducts several tournaments throughout each year and these vary in strength but endeavour to provide a suitable standard for any age and standard. Round robin tournament events are best suited to young juniors (12 years and under) or to juniors who are just beginning to play tournaments.
Many appropriate junior tournaments are held all over the Metropolitan area and the State on long weekends, normal weekends and school holidays. TNSW can supply dates, contact information and entry forms. The TNSW website also has a calendar of tournaments and when you have this, you will normally have to ring the contact person for the tournament you wish to enter to ask for the entry form to be sent to you. Some associations encourage online entry. You should not feel shy about getting in touch with the contact person to obtain entry forms or information - tournament organisers will be delighted to have the chance to increase entries in their tournaments.
It is beneficial to juniors to participate in hitting/practice squads as well as receiving coaching. Many coaching schools run squads of various standards and TNSW and NSW Hardcourt Tennis Assn also run squads for more talented juniors.