Junior Programs

Our junior coaching program is the perfect place for your children to learn tennis. There are lesson options and pathways for all ages and ability levels. The programs are:

• Hot Shots – Blue, Red, Orange and Green
• Zone Squads
• Tennis 4 Teens
• Match Play
• Events (tournaments)
• School Holiday Camps
• Schools

Hot Shots

The four stages in the Hot Shots tennis pathway allow children to learn and develop. Hot Shots is about children having fun from a tactical, play-based approach that incorporates fundamental and perceptual motor skills. It is for children from the age of 3.

More complex movements and challenges are layered for each stage. Smaller courts, smaller racquets, and lower compression balls are used to help develop skills and achieve confidence. The essential elements of tennis serving, rallying and scoring are progressed at each level.

Blue Ball

Blue Hot Shots is ideal for children ages 3 to 5+ years.

Our Blue Ball program is usually played without a net and helps to familiarise children with the size and bounce of a Red Hot Shots court and ball. The focus is on improving their fundamental and perceptual motor skills. These skills are essential as children move into Red Hot Shots and beyond.

• Players aged: 3 – 5+ years
• Coach Ratio: 1:4
• Recommended racquet size: 19 inches. These racquets may be purchased at the Club Pro shop, Stringlab
• Cost: $17.50 per session.
• Class duration: 30 minutes.

Red Ball

Red Hot Shots is perfect for children who have played a small amount of tennis. Players will work on developing fundamental tennis skills, including rallying, serving, coming to the net, scoring, and competing.

• Players aged: 5 – 8+ years
• Coach Ratio: 1:6
• Recommended racquet size: 21 inches. These racquets may be purchased at the Club Pro shop, Stringlab
• Cost: $20 for members & $22 for non-members per session
• Class duration: 60 minutes.

Orange Ball

Orange Hot Shots is about developing more advanced technical skills and enhancing fundamental and perceptual motor skills. Players start to explore their court positioning and learn tactical methods.

Orange ball is conducted on a ¾ court and may alter to a full court. It allows the children to swing harder through the ball contact zone and necessitates a quicker response to shots, hence developing faster judgement and quicker movement.

• Players aged: 8 – 10+ years
• Coach Ratio: 1:6
• Recommended racquet size: 23 inches. These racquets may be purchased at the Club Pro shop, Stringlab
• Cost: $22 for DTC members & $24 for non-members per session
• Class duration: 90 minutes.

Green Ball

The green ball is an extension of Orange ball. It involves more challenging drills and creates greater consistency and tactical exploration. Fundamental and perception motor skills have developed to a point where the child is now working on better technique, quicker movement, anticipation skills and hitting the tennis ball with greater variety.

All classes are done in a rally environment with kids using several regressions and progressions to improve their game.

• Players aged: 9+ years
• Coach Ratio: 1:6
• Recommended racquet size: 25–27 inches. These racquets may be purchased at the Club Pro shop, Stringlab
• Cost: $22 for DTC members & $24 for non-members per session
• Class duration: 90 minutes.

Hot Shots Match Play

This is coach-led and allows participants to ease into real match play. Players learn what it is like to compete against another player in an environment that nurtures fair play and rewards sportsmanship. Match Play is free for children enrolled in a term Hot Shots program.

Tennis 4 Teens

Tennis 4 Teens is a non-competitive, fun, and social program that offers participants activities on and off the court. The program is designed for youth to create a safe space for physical and mental activity through tennis.

• Players aged: 13+ years
• Coach Ratio: 1:8
• Equipment may be purchased at the Club Pro shop, Stringlab
• Cost: $22 for DTC members & $24 for non-members per session
• Class duration 90 minutes.

Junior Match Play

This is coach-led and allows participants to compete against similarly graded players. Players compete against other players in an environment that nurtures fair play and rewards sportsmanship.

• Players aged: 13 + years
• Equipment may be purchased at the Club Pro shop, Stringlab
• Cost: $5 for DTC members & $10 for non-members per session
• Duration 90 minutes.

School Holiday Camps

School Holiday Camps specialize in tennis fun. The camps are conducted to fit in with your family’s busy holiday schedule. Our qualified coaches will conduct various fun learning activities, including on-court coaching, technique, motor skill development and physical training. Holiday camps allow our junior tennis players to play all year round. Everyone is welcome, so please invite a friend to attend the camp. The camps are suitable for children of all school ages and abilities (beginners to advanced). The DTC café is open for recess and lunch breaks. It is recommended children bring a large water bottle, hat and sunscreen. The camps run in all weather. More information on registration.

• Players aged: 5 to 17 years
• Times: 9 am to 3 pm
• Cost: $110 for a 2-day camp or $65 per day

Coaching Enquiries

For further information on programs or how to get involved you may contact the club by telephone: 03 6234 4805, by email coaching@domain tennis.com.au or visiting the DTC office.