Rallying players on holiday

Twelve keen tennis-playing kids hit the court in Roma for tennis camp.

FINE FORM: Erin Brynley has been working on his skills at tennis camp to play for his school competition next month. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

TENNIS: Roma's young athletes have been busting school holiday boredom this week, by attending the first of three Tennis Maranoa school holiday camps.

Over Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, 12 young guns have been honing their technical skills on the court under the guidance of head coach Dean Stansell.

Mr Stansell said the purpose of the clinics was not just to fill time on the holidays, but to work on the game while there was time to do so.

"It is a very long school holidays and our idea is to keep them playing throughout the season.

"This week we have worked on a lot of rallying skills, how to win points, and also some work on serve and return.

"We've also looked at how to finish the point in four shots, instead of rallying longer and longer, where that becomes a situation where either player has no advantage,” he said.

Toby Burns is only 7, but played well against older kids at the tennis camp. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

As well as taking on the extra practice for local tournaments, Stansell said a few of his players have another goal in their sport.

"Most of the kids here are competing in the Brisbane International Challenge on two different levels, orange-ball and green-ball, so that is what they're prepping for here.

"The main difference there is the hardness of the ball, and the main idea behind it is to help the kids rally longer,” he said.

Riley Burns makes a powerful serve. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

Roma's young tennis players have had an enjoyable experience at the camp, said attendee Erin Brynley.

"I've liked serving, hitting and playing the matches, and I've learned lots of skills.

"I'm going to play for school in January and it is good practice,” he said.

Andy Arthur has been practising to play fixtures. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

While Tennis Maranoa will take a short break over Christmas, the club will get back in to the swing of things early in the new year, Stansell confirmed.

"I'm only off for a week myself, but we'll be back on deck on January 7.

"We will be running a second tennis camp in mid-January, then another at the end of the month.

"The club will also have a couple of tournaments in January,” he said.