Tennis tyros learn about movement and balance

Wintry conditions proved no hindrance as more than 80 children converged at the Wolseley tennis courts last week for a three-day coaching clinic.

Titled the ‘Wimbledon Holiday Coaching Clinic’ in the wake of the recently completed 2025 Wimbledon Championships, the clinic focused largely on movement and balance.

Participants ranged from four to 15 years of age while coaches came from the Gunnedah-based Louis Tennis Academy.

The academy’s owner Craig Louis said the Tuesday and Wednesday sessions involved learning about movement and balance, before the Thursday session involved implementing these things into game play.

“It’s about lateral movement and changing direction, and everyone also had a speed test,” he said.

As has been the case with previous Louis Tennis Academy-run tennis clinics involving youngsters, Louis said it was about “having fun in the school holidays”.

RESULTS

Hot Shot (red ball): boys winner Tyler Finnerty, r/up Horrie Goldrick; girls winner Spencer Mitchell, r/up Lexi Finnerty;

Hot Shot (orange ball): boys winner Mason Hill, r/up Finley Eakin; girls winner Reggie Stewart, r/up Zahra Scott;

Hot Shot (green ball): boys winner Baxter Royall, r/up Archer Cannon; girls winner Charli Scott, r/up Maggie Gardner;

Hot Shot (yellow ball): boys winner Cooper Galton, r/up Cooper Cannon; girls winner Adalie Muddle, r/up Aimee Hobden;

Carlos Alcaraz award (outstanding shot making): Toby Morris, George Ceeney;

Ash Barty award (court etiquette): Kaitlin Neilsen, Hallie Childs;

Alex De Minaur award (sportsmanship): Hope Welsh, Nixon Leven.