Saturday Kids
Kids have all the fun on Saturday mornings when more than 80 local kids take part in our now-famous coaching sessions.
You don’t have to be a member, or have even hit a ball before; just come along with a racquet and a willingness to have a go.
Our coach Nicole Bruce-Smith is in charge of the action with her trademark humour very much on show.
The lessons begin at 8.00 am for the total beginners. At 9.00 am, it’s the High Beginners’ turn. The Intermediate brigade take over at 10.00 am and from 11.00 am to noon the advanced group show off just how much they’ve learnt over the years.
You don’t have to book and you don’t have to commit to any number of weeks, it’s just a turn-up and play when you can arrangement.
The club sponsors the event as part of its community involvement program so prices are pegged at $6 a lesson, regardless of your level.
Support for local kids
To further facilitate community spirit, the club waives court fees for Albert Park College coaching sessions held on Mondays throughout the school year and we also offer free coaching for two students from each of the local primary schools.
School holiday coaching clinics
Nicole Bruce-Smith also runs a week-long coaching clinic in the school holidays with the assistance of past students who help with her coaching duties. There are two sessions – beginners in the morning and then intermediate players in the afternoon.
The Clinic finishes with a competition and party which is always a highlight for the players.
Q&A with Coach Nicole Bruce-Smith
I have been coaching at the club for 26 years. At a guess l have coached over 3000 people here.
- Monday 3.30pm – 7pm
- Tuesday 3.30pm – 5.45pm
- Wednesday 3.30pm – 5.30pm
- Thursday 3.30pm – 8.30pm
- Friday 3.30pm – 7.00pm.
And then there’s an hour of private coaching later.
There are between four and eight students in the after-school term coaching group while private lessons have one or two in a lesson.
I also run week-long holiday programs which are very popular. Usually, it’s the younger players in the morning and then the older kids in the afternoon. We finish the week with a competition and a party.
On Saturday I start at 8 am and go through with classes to noon. Anyone can join in. It is a turn-up and play arrangement and you don’t have to commit to each week. The club subsidises it so it’s only $6 a session.
- 8.00am – 9.00am: Total Beginners
- 9.00am – 10.00am: High Beginners
- 10am -11.00am: Intermediate
- 11am -12noon: Advanced
When the child is able to take instructions and concentrate for a full lesson.
Happy to. Just contact me for availability.
75 years.
I’m a Tennis Australia Qualified Tennis Coach and each year I organise the Junior Club Championships during Term 4 over the Melbourne Cup long weekend. On average there are normally 100 entries. It’s a lot of fun.