ST. JUDE'S VA BIBLE SCH

What impact do activities like a tennis clinic have on youth during the summer time?

There are a plethora of beautiful activities that many do not get to experience due to money or inaccessibility, and I believe tennis is one of them. There’s nothing more rewarding than feeling a tennis ball solidly “thump” on the center of your racquet’s strings and come flying into a graceful shot. Additionally, the sport is one full of sportsmanship and love, and it is especially evident as the match begins with the score love all. In order to translate this love to others, West Brook Tennis Team members and I revived our school’s free tennis clinic. We have been volunteering from Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM. Tennis team members, like myself, would teach the basics such as the forehand and backhand while correcting form, and Key Club members with little to no experience in tennis would feed balls, pick up balls, and make sure every child is hydrated and in good condition. In addition to correcting form and feeding balls to hit, another team captain and I devised drills to further skills in footwork and increase physical fitness. With all the hard work the kids have to go through, we volunteers are careful to check up on them and offer breaks from the grueling Texas sun. Of course, we have to make our sessions exciting (even though we believe tennis itself is enough), so we always add a fun fitness game at the end! Usually, kids do not like associating the words fun and fitness together, but once running and footwork are turned into relays and competitions, everybody starts to get more excited! With both of our sessions nearing their end, a bittersweet feeling begins to pour into my heart. It is such a joy to pass on the passion and knowledge I have to eager, bright-minded kids, but it feels just as sorrowful to know that the time spent was limited. But time spent is better than time never passed; therefore, with all that was taught, I hope that the players who all attended the tennis camp will carry with them in life the enjoyment from the game they experienced there.