Game Set Match Tennis Academy has adjusted well to the lockdown, finding new ways to instruct young tennis players and help them exercise while at home.
The academy is based at Craighall Tennis Club and coach Carla Farina said even saying goodbye to her players for a short time, was sad. “I have watched each student grow and develop not only on the court but as people,” she told Rosebank Killarney Gazette.
“How lucky am I that I have a job where I form such wonderful personal relationships with so many wonderful people? So, here I am, heading off into the lockdown and not only am I thinking of ways to keep myself busy, but also ways to keep my students active, inspired and connected.”
Farina has done this by posting fitness videos which are tennis-based but can be adapted by everyone to keep fit, on YouTube and the Game Set Match Facebook pages.
She has also participated in physical challenges and encouraged her players to do the same. These include the ‘tennis racket toilet paper challenge’ as well as the ‘Roger Federer Volley Challenge’.
“It is great getting videos of the players doing these challenges and getting involved, therefore keeping connected and practisingsome skill at the same time. I would like to challenge all the readers out there to also try their hands at these challenges which are available on our YouTube and Facebook pages.”
She said to tag the academy online so she can see the video.
One of the academy’s high-performance players, Milo Thornhill-Davis smashed Farina’s own record of seven when he hit 26 in the toilet paper challenge. He has since challenged all his friends from school and his father.
“I love how challenges like this create a community. So, to keep tennis fit as well as maintain your overall fitness during holidays, I suggest watching my videos. They are free and can be easily adapted to any fitness level. Skipping is wonderful for fitness and strength and I have been doing regular yoga too which is a wonderful full body workout.”
Details: Game Set Match Tennis Academy carla@gamesetmatch.co.za; 083 445 9777.