Moment with Milo: Nate Speirs at a Rochester Tennis Club junior coaching clinic last week, celebrating a moment with tennis coch Milo (Paul Condliffe).
Rochester Tennis Club is embarking on a recruiting drive to fill the void that two years of interrupted competition has left on its participation levels.
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The juniors that were involved in last week’s ‘come and try’ junior tennis session with coach Paul Condliffe (known as Milo) were an indication of the enthusiasm for the sport.
Club stalwart Karen Taylor said the club was looking for more juniors to get involved in the club, after having only three junior teams involved in Campaspe competition last year.
“We had 10 teams a few years ago, so we are trying to generate some interest in building our numbers back up after COVID,” she said.
The two ‘come and try’ clinics (the second will be held on Wednesday, September 14 from 4pm to 5pm) are designed to give parents an example of the coaching support that is offered at the Rochester club.
Children aged from eight to 16 can be involved in the Campaspe competition, which includes teams from Echuca, Rich River, Lockington, Elmore and Colbinabbin.
“It is a compact competition, so there is very little travel involved,” Karen said.
Last year the club had A, B and C division junior teams.
“There are four or five are in each team,” Karen said.
“The senior competition has eight players in a team. Last year we only had two senior teams.
“Before COVID we had five teams. It has had a big impact on the club.”
Milo, the popular Rochester tennis coach, has been working with the club for the past four years.
“He has been wonderful and we ran a really successful junior tournament last year, with 60 kids,” Karen said.
That tournament will run again before Christmas, most likely in November.
Karen said Wednesday’s ‘come and try’ day did not require registration.
Eyes on the prize: Olivia O’Sullivan and Ruby Connelly were among the Rochester junior tennis players involved in the ‘come and try’ session last Wednesday.
Double-hand delight: Nate Speirs’ shot is admired by older brother Sam at Rochester Tennis Club last week.
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