Indigenous program nets top tennis talent

05 October 2017

Tennis development scheme opens new opportunities for indigenous kids

A new tennis development program for young indigenous kids in the Tweed is unearthing some wonderful talent.

The Pro One Tennis Academy at Arkinstall Park is running an eight-week program for 12 indigenous children aged seven to 12, with some remarkable results.

“They are very coordinated and with little instruction they are really picking up the game. It’s quite amazing,” Pro One Manager Natasha Kersten said.

“They are super talented but without this program many would not have the opportunity to play.”

A $2,000 grant from Tennis Australia, through the National Inclusion Program, has enabled the academy to offer the free coaching sessions.

“We chose to target indigenous kids because there were a number of Aboriginal children who were coming to the complex but did not have the money to play,” Ms Kersten said.

“They helped us contact other kids who might be interested in getting involved.

“They love it. They keep coming back and that’s the biggest sign they’re enjoying it.”

The program’s weekly sessions are introducing the kids to fundamental racquet and balls skills.

“Hopefully we can get them to a point where they can play a rally and then join a Friday night competition,” she said.

“This group will be followed by another eight-week program in the fourth school term, then hopefully something next year.

“We will probably open it up older kids as well, and have two groups going.”

Pro One Tennis Academy has managed the regional high performance tennis facility at Tweed Heads South since it opened in May 2015, after Council completed a $7.7 million upgrade of Arkinstall Park.

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Caption: Pro One Tennis Academy coach Patrick Ganet with development program participants Zaden Phillips, Tkeyah Henderson and Lilandra Henderson.