Stars in the making
EVERY tennis player can distinctly remember their first tournament experience and while nerves and emotion can come to the forefront, it is always exciting.
On the Gold Coast the region has come together to create an experience like no other.
Aligning with Tennis Australia’s ANZ Tennis Hot Shots program, it’s the Red Ball Tournament Circuit, for players aged eight and under, and the Orange Ball Tournament Circuit, for players aged 10 and younger.
Both circuits aim to engage Hot Shots players with practical and crucial skill development opportunities.
For many, it is their first tournament experience – but an exciting, educational and extremely fun one of that.
Across the Gold Coast, 14 tournaments between two circuits hosted at 10 different clubs – with the help of a countless number of coaches, parents and club volunteers – will come to life this year.
What makes these tournaments such a hit?
Everything is modified. The kids play on smaller courts, with adapted nets, using lighter racquets and lower compression tennis balls, with all modifications aligning with International Tennis Federation standards.
It’s a learning experience. Players not only just play tennis, they learn how to score matches, the rules of the game and all about appropriate player etiquette.
A positive tournament culture. With special prizes for the four players who display the best sportsmanship and best effort in every match, each tournament has proven to be a showcase of polite players with ace behaviour.
For Orange Ball players, the series will culminate in October with the “Bolt to Brisbane” finals, with the best four girls and four boys uniting to form Team Gold Coast who will play against three other regions from across Queensland.