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Young tennis players put through paces at Tweni

The programme runs every Saturday morning, weather allowing, and I was very impressed with what I saw.

Swing by Umtentweni Tennis Club on a Saturday at about 08:30, which is exactly what I did, and there is a good chance that you will find the club’s resident TSA certified pro tennis coach, Julia Christiansen and her son Daniel, who has a Level 1 certificate putting some enthusiastic and eager to learn community kids through their paces.

As the newly elected secretary on the Tweni Club committee I was keen to get a close look at exactly what coach Julia is doing, and it was well worth the effort.

TSA certified pro tennis coach Julia Christiansen (left) and son Daniel.

The youth development programme which falls under the auspices of the KZN Tennis Federation is the only hub of its kind operating on the Lower South Coast, and it certainly is a blessing for the youngsters as well as the club that it exists.

The programme runs every Saturday morning, weather allowing, and I was very impressed with what I saw. The well thought out exercises that the kids are put through are each carefully designed to teach ball and motor skills and a general understanding of tennis, not to mention the generous amounts of fun that are taken out of it.

It was also great to see the parents enjoying watching their budding future tennis stars. After weeks of practising the drills the kids start playing the game which I’m looking forward to seeing myself.

Julia moved down to the KZN about 30 years ago, as well as having plenty of overseas tennis under her belt, playing in Wimbledon qualifiers, etc. she is keen to pass on her wealth of knowledge and exuberates oodles of passion and love for the sport.

The youngsters were ready to take to the court last Saturday during a training session with TSA level one coach Daniel Christiansen and certified pro tennis coach Julia Christiansen.

Without youngsters being exposed to the sport, tennis will not be able to sustain itself and grow. The introduction of the youth into tennis is a non-negotiable requisite for its very survival, having said that one needs to look long term and not short term to achieve this.

Thanks to coach Julia and Daniel for the time and the effort they are putting in to achieve this goal. She can be contacted on 083 4581806.

Tweni enjoyed a very good turnout for social tennis last weekend, and it was great to see five courts in action. Thanks to Ian Ackerman for a mouth-watering tea.

Recent birthdays that were celebrated: Junior member, Jaden Jason (18th), honorary member Peggy Igesund (19th) and Jenny Browne (21st).

Tea duty: February 26 – Rob Browne, March 5 – Kathy Kirton.

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