HILLIARD State School prep students have already begun practising their tennis techniques in the lead up to the ANZ Hot Tennis Hot Shots program after receiving 80 racquets before the next term.
The school was one of five Redland schools to receive racquets, balls and nets thanks to ANZ Tennis Hot Shots and Tennis Australia’s School Partnership Program.
The aim is to encourage more children to pick up a racquet and learn tennis as part of their health and physical education curriculum.
Physical education teacher Janelle Mills said the school had been a part of the initiative for the past three years.
“There are so many benefits of the program – the kids really love tennis and we have seen an increase in tennis players at school in recent years,” she said.
Ms Mills said students were eager to try the new equipment before next term.
“I do program in term three but it was nice this year we received them early so I’ve given them a few techniques to build up their skills at home before further developing them at school,” she said.
“They are practising tap ups, which is hitting the ball up, letting it bounce on the ground and repeating the exercise, and forehand swings.”
The tennis program is one of Australia’s most popular initiatives, with more than 380,000 children who played ANZ Tennis Hot Shots from 2016 to 2017.
Tennis Australia chief executive officer Craig Tiley said he looked forward to seeing more racquets in the hands of Australian children.
“Schools play a huge role in the development of children, and at Tennis Australia we want to continue to support schools in providing an environment where the health and wellbeing of students is a top priority,” he said.
Twenty-two time Grand Slam champion Todd Woodbridge said the initiative was a fantastic way to introduce and inspire more kids to play tennis.
“For them to take a racquet home means that tennis is always within their reach and helps kids to develop healthy habits that keep them fit and active,” he said.
Jocelyn Garcia
Jocelyn is a journalist at the Redland City Bulletin, covering education issues and school stories. She was a former journalist at Beaudesert Times, reporting about crime, schools and agriculture.
Jocelyn is a journalist at the Redland City Bulletin, covering education issues and school stories. She was a former journalist at Beaudesert Times, reporting about crime, schools and agriculture.
