Leave it to the outsiders to know just how far a group of young
tennis players have come.
”
They couldn’t even hold a racquet six weeks ago or get it over
the net,
”
said Marco Renella, a member of Gilroy Tennis Club, which in
partnership with Gilroy Unified School District and the Northern
California chapter of the United States Tennis Association,
recently completed a six-week instructional course for local kids
ages 5-13.
Now?
”
One hour into it and they’re all fired up,
”
Renella said.
”
They’re out there exercising in the park. What could be
better?
”
GILROY – Leave it to the outsiders to know just how far a group of young tennis players have come.
“They couldn’t even hold a racquet six weeks ago or get it over the net,” said Marco Renella, a member of Gilroy Tennis Club, which in partnership with Gilroy Unified School District and the Northern California chapter of the United States Tennis Association, recently completed a six-week instructional course for local kids ages 5-13.
Now?
“One hour into it and they’re all fired up,” Renella said. “They’re out there exercising in the park. What could be better?”
Beginning with just eight children, the Junior Tennis League blossomed into a weekly camp for 30 children, almost all of whom had never played the game before. For the cost of $55, each player was given a new racquet, a hat, a team shirt, a USTA Jr. membership and entry to an awards banquet at the end of the season, which wrapped up Wednesday.
Local GTC members volunteered their time to give lessons to the kids, which made each day a different, fun challenge.
“Each one of those coaches has their own style, which is really cool,” said Jack McGuire, head organizer of the season.
Depending on skill level, players practiced with three different types of tennis balls – one of which is made of foam – so that positive results could come along quicker, keeping the kids from getting discouraged.
Not that any of the players were discouraged by their progress.
Asked how his friend, Race Thompson, 6, had progressed over the last six weeks, Gannon Janisch, 6, didn’t hesitate. “Way, way better,” Janisch said.
Thompson, not quite pleased with his friend’s enthusiasm, paused before speaking on how much better Janisch was compared to six weeks ago. “Yeah, pretty much better,” Thompson said.
Seth Goodman, a Community Tennis Coordinator for Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara counties, said it’s hard for each of the kids to not get progress considering how well this past summer’s program was run. “It’s totally benefited everybody,” Goodman said. “The hardest part is to get volunteers and Gilroy Tennis Club is one of the best at getting volunteers.”
Starting each weekly session at 5:30 p.m. to encourage parent and volunteer attendance and participation, GTC is currently planning to hold another six-week program beginning in September. While the upcoming season should allow for those participating to increase their level of skill, that’s not the main focus.
“It’s more about getting into tennis, doing drills and having fun, McGuire said.
