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The sight of a youngster struggling to haul around a tennis racket ranks high on the “cute” quotient, right up there with a snapshot of box full of puppies.
But when it comes to nurturing a lifelong passion for the sport, the overmatched rookie athlete is probably not the best approach.
As a result, Five Seasons Sports Club in Burr Ridge is one of a select group of clubs tapped nationwide by the United States Tennis Association to pilot a program known as QuickStart.
The initiative fits tennis to kids based on their age and size, with modified court dimensions, racquets and balls that help develop better technical and tactical skills. The result: immediate fun, instead of frustration that so often besets beginners.
So far, about 500 children, ages 5 through 12, have participated in the program at Five Seasons, said Becky Dinsick, the Junior QuickStart Director. Interest for an upcoming fall season, to launch in September, is also high.
“People have really embraced the idea that tennis isn’t just for the elite class any more,” said Dinsick. “The USTA is doing a good job of spreading the sport to children, and the program here has exceeded our expectations. We’re excited to carry this into the fall.”
Below are video interviews with Dinsick that further explain the QuickStart program:
The program cost is $20 per class. The summer program consists of six one-week sessions.
For more information, contact Dinsick at 630-570-5200 or tennis@fiveseasonsbr.com.
Five Seasons Sports Club has seven locations throughout the Midwest, including two in Illinois, in Burr Ridge and Northbrook.
