Junior tennis thriving

Coaches Rod Harris and Abe Wells with the group of 5- to 6-year-olds who took part in the Kaitaia tennis club's 12-week junior development programme last summer.

Organisers of a successful junior tennis programme in Kaitaia said plans are in place to grow the event to cater to the unprecedented and overwhelming demand they experienced last summer.

The programme was run under the supervision of a professional tennis coach, Rod Harris.

Club spokeswoman Sharlene Wells said the 12-week programme, which began in October, took a break for the holidays then ran until the end of February. It had sold out weeks beforehand.

"The kids did not want it to finish," she said, estimating nearly 60 participants took part over three age grades, 5 to 6, 7 to 10 (the strongest group with about 30 participants), and 11 to 14.

While reluctant to single anyone out, Wells said Zach Shanks in particular was living proof of the programme's worth.

"In two more years he will be beating us. He's so dedicated," she said.

"He comes down to business house, playing tournaments outside of Kaitaia," she said, noting the young Shanks competed in a junior tennis tournament in Kerikeri last weekend and went on to win the under 12 doubles title (with an allocated partner).

To avoid having a repeat of last season's situation which saw the club forced to turn down a number of applicants, plans were to grow the programme which will also lead to a demand for more coaches and helpers. And while there are only four courts, Wells is confident the club has the capacity to grow the event.

On behalf of the organisers, Wells thanked the programme's sponsors, along with the parent helpers and other volunteers.