I know it's going to be just magical, and almost certainly going to be over quickly.
~ Casey Dellacqua — on playing Sharapova ~
Despite being the most isolated city in the world, Perth, the capital of Western Australia, still manages to produce its fair share of sport greats, including tennis players like Casey Dellacqua. Retired for three years, Casey was known for her doubles playing and, later, for her singles matches and competed for Australia in two Olympic Games (Bejing 2008 and London 2012).
These days, Casey is a commentator for the Australian Open and other tennis events televised by Channel Nine. Although she has been involved in this role for three years, she still says she feels more comfortable being interviewed than interviewing today's great tennis players.
Tennis is a fun sport that everyone in the family can enjoy. Perhaps, like Casey, you've been playing since you were a young child and remember getting up in the middle of the night to watch Wimbledon. Or perhaps you're inspired by the players in the Australian Open and are keen to pick up a racquet and give the sport a go. Either way, you will benefit from some coaching or lessons of some description — even if you just want to play social tennis.
Luckily, you live in or near Perth, which not only has a great climate for all sorts of sport events and outdoor activities but also has a government that prioritises health and wellbeing for their community members. This includes the provision of sport facilities such as tennis courts and programs.
This article will look at a few of the best places to learn tennis in Perth as well as online options for coaching. Yes — online! First though, let's take a look at what you need before you head out onto the court.
What Do You Need to Play Tennis?
If you're a beginner, there are three main items you need before you start your tennis lessons:
- racquet (more about that below)
- a set of good quality tennis balls (for practising in between lessons)
- shoes (preferably white-soled) and clothing that is comfortable and easy to move in.
Out of these three, the most important one is definitely your tennis racquet so let's take a little longer to discuss that.
Things to know about tennis racquets
Not all racquets are the same, though to the untrained eye they certainly seem similar. There are three factors to consider:
- Length — racquets designed for kids are generally not as long as those made for adults
- Weight — the lighter the racquet, the better it is for kids and beginners; heavier racquets are great for more advanced players as they have more power
- Head size — the more advanced you are, the smaller the head size you will be comfortable with using
The best thing to do before purchasing a tennis racquet is to get advice from your coach or even get 'measured up' in a specialty tennis or sports store.
Other bits and pieces
You may wish to investigate different tennis grips and vibration absorbers as you progress through your lessons. In addition, a sweatband, tennis bag, drink bottle, towel and sunscreen should be all you need.
Clubs Offering Tennis Lessons in Perth
If you put tennis lessons Perth into your internet browser, you will bring up pages and pages of websites for every tennis club, court, school, academy, centre, coach and program in Perth and the surrounding regions. It can be a bit overwhelming to choose.
Before you start looking, make sure you're clear on what your goals actually are — what do you want to get out of your lessons or coaching? Do you only want to play social tennis? Do you want private or group coaching? What is your budget? What times will suit you best? How far are you able to travel? Can you commit?
Start by asking for recommendations from any of your friends and colleagues who play tennis themselves. Check your local community centre for ads. Wander down to your local tennis courts and watch for a while or speak to the coaches or players who are there.
For now, though, let's make a start with three of the many options available to learn tennis in Perth.
Tennis Lessons Perth
With twelve locations across the Perth metro area, this family tennis coaching business would have to be the most widespread. Head coach, Peter Gerrens and his team offer a variety of coaching and lesson options for all ages, including:
- kindy tennis lessons (for children from ages 3 to 5)
- junior group lessons (for children from ages 5 to 18)
- development squad (for advanced junior players, ages 10 to 18)
- Hot Shots coaching programs
- adult group lessons
- private coaching for kids and adult players
Adult group coaching takes place at the same time as classes for kids, which is perfect for the family group.
Tennis Factory
With award-winning programs and recommended by Tennis West and Tennis Australia for the quality of its junior and adult coaching programs, the Tennis Factory offers a range of classes for players of all ages and levels, beginner through to professional. Their programs include:
- Kiddo Program — for children from 3 to 8 years of age (preschool to Year 2), offered at two club locations and your local school
- junior coaching programs — offered in 4 tiers of development for children aged 5 to 17 years
- junior competition — Hot Shots challenges, Hot Shots match play, Hot Shots league
- adult classes — coaching, cardio, social, league
- private lessons for all ages
- primary school programs
- school holiday programs.
Coaches at the Tennis Factory are the best in Perth and all have Tennis Australia qualifications or the overseas equivalent.
Perth Performance Tennis Academy
This academy lists its coaching philosophy as providing players of all ages and abilities the opportunity to enjoy the game in a fun, motivational and practical learning environment. Every program offered has a player to coach ratio of 6 to 1, the perfect group size for drills and match play. In addition to group and private coaching for kids and adult players, this Perth academy also offers:
- school holiday programs
- development programs for kids
- 'Mini Tennis' (using the Hot Shots program)
- elite squad and league programs
- academy program (for advanced competition players)
- 'Inclusion Tennis'.
You can also find effective and convenient private tennis coaching here on Superprof.
On the latter dot point, 'Inclusion Tennis' is a specially designed program developed to cater for people of all ages with Autism, Down Syndrome, intellectual disability and physical disability. The program has two streams, Inclusion Mini Tennis (for 3 to 6 year olds) and Inclusion Tennis (any ages, 7 years and up). Classes are set at a player to coach ratio of 4 to 1 and are specifically tailored to meet the needs of each group.
The 'Hot Shots' program
The ANZ Hot Shots program was designed specifically to get young children into tennis and start developing skills at an early age. Since its inception, the program has spread throughout Australia and has been taken on board by a large number of coaches, clubs and schools. It is also the mainstay of the Tennis World centres in Adelaide, Launceston, Sydney, Darwin, Canberra and Melbourne.
Using modified equipment, such as lower nets, balls that don't bounce as high and shorter, lightweight racquets, and played on a smaller court, the Hot Shots program is designed for the development of coordination, agility and speed, while the children learn how to play as part of a team and be a good sport.
Ask your local club if they run the Hot Shots program or one that is modified from Hot Shots.
Working with an Online Tennis Coach
The game of tennis is a physical, hands-on sport so how can it possibly be taught online?
While not ideal, the current state of the world has meant that a large number of sports coaches and fitness trainers have had to be inventive and move their training and coaching to the online world. Reluctant at first, clients are now embracing this style of working with their coaches to the point where they are looking to train this way, even when they don't have to.
A quick check of the Superprof platform will show you that there is a lot of call for online fitness classes and specialised sports coaching. In regards to tennis, there are over 200 Superprof tutors who offer tennis classes, most of whom are available for both in-person training and online.
This is particularly good news for anybody who can't find a coach in their local area, or whose budget or timetable won't stretch to accommodate in-person coaching sessions. Who knows, you may even find your dream coach on the other side of the country, in Brisbane.
If you're still not convinced, check out the Superprof platform today and take advantage of the tutors' 'first lesson free' offer.
Discover amazing tennis lessons Melbourne when you search on Superprof!
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