Greater tennis involvement through MLC Tennis Hot Shots

Tennis Australia’s MLC Tennis Hot Shots is proving to be not only a great way to help encourage more junior members to play the sport, but is also increasing community involvement and getting more people involved in tennis.

The Whyalla Tennis Association (WTA) in South Australia provides an example of how MLC Tennis Hot Shots is helping develop the sport.

WTA President Leigh Brereton explains that having “had dwindling numbers in juniors and seniors for the last few years ... we decided as a club to become more proactive in getting juniors and interest back into tennis in the Whyalla region.”

With backing from local mining and steel making companies Arrium Mining and Onesteel, the WTA was able to get involved in the MLC Tennis Hot Shots program.

Explaining Arrium Mining and Onesteel’s sponsorship of the association’s MLC Tennis Hot Shots program, Brereton stated “they started off with giving us $5,000 towards our juniors and MLC Tennis Hot Shots programs and we have used this money to purchase new equipment.”

The positive response to the program has now inspired the WTA to take MLC Tennis Hot Shots to local schools, with Brereton adding “our aim is to get the program into all of the junior primary schools in Whyalla as we feel that we can get a large number of kids interested in tennis.

“Already since starting the club program ... we have nearly tripled the number of MLC Tennis Hot Shots kids involved in the program from last year. The signs are extremely positive and we have some very positive coaches and volunteers who are very keen to get these kids out on the courts.”

The WTA is also working with the Whyalla Town Primary School, Sunrise Christian School and Hincks Avenue Primary School as part of Tennis Australia’s National School Partnership Program.

Click here for more information on MLC Tennis Hot Shots.

17th January 2014 - VICTORIA ACKNOWLEDGES TENNIS’ VOLUNTEERS