Tennis thrills at Craighall Tennis Club
CRAIGHALL PARK – Youngsters at Game, Set, Match, Tennis Academy keep the rally going in a fun way.
To an outsider, it may appear like fun and games, but muscles are being stretched and advanced skills are being developed while players have a blast on the tennis court.
The Game, Set, Match, Tennis Academy based at Craighall Tennis Club has only been around since August last year but already boasts both a social section and high-performance group.
With players aged three to 83, coach Carla Farina puts all 12 years of coaching under her belt to good use.
But with the new, often younger players, Farina will do certain tennis drills that seem to produce as many smiles and laughter as muscles and match-winning shots.
Whether it be racing each other through an obstacle course involving different tennis movements, dodging balls bouncing their way, or high-fiving each other quickly between each return, the younger classes seem to maintain as much passion, dedication and enjoyment of the game as any coach could hope for.
“People need to love the game, otherwise why play it?” Farina asked in earnest.
“I aim to create an environment where the children learn life skills while they learn tennis. They learn discipline, punctuality, how to warm up and stretch properly before exercising, and respect for each other and themselves.”
Fitness is an important element in Farina’s coaching, and through fun techniques, she has helped her players enjoy building core and muscle strength at a mini gym just off the courts which even includes weights.
“Being a coach is the most rewarding job in the world. Seeing players grow in themselves and building confidence is amazing.”
Also read: South Africa’s tennis club of the month
