Carterton School in pilot programme

Carterton School is one of six schools participating in a pilot scheme which is introducing the Grasshoppers tennis programme to the greater Wellington region.
Coaches Stefan Knap from the Wellington Tennis Association and Alex Wall from Featherston, were putting a group of pupils aged between eight and 10 years through their paces this week.
Grasshoppers is a tennis programme designed to teach children racquet and ball skills, through what is called a "games-based" approach, which is slightly more chaotic than typical structured lessons but which still provides the youngsters with a better understanding of the strategic and tactical side of the game. This is done by developing their decision-making skills and challenging their thinking.
Time is spent on movement, throwing, tracking, catching and balancing, all areas necessary in bat (or racquet) and ball sports.
As the participants become more familiar with the game of tennis and its associated elements, other elements are introduced such as ball control, all the while using smaller racquets and low compression balls which provide the children with a much better chance of success.