SPRING 2015 “I PLAY TENNIS”
PROGRAM SCHEDULE & INFORMATION
Welcome to our Spring 2015 “I Play Tennis” Programs! We are excited to be expanding
our programs to The Meadows Recreation Centre for an introductory session in May.
League Play – Important Information
Tennis Canada supports our programs across the country and Edmonton has the most vibrant Little Aces programs of any community in
Canada! Tennis Canada’s mandate is to develop minor tennis programs which offer players the opportunity to engage in fun and friendly
competition, much like minor soccer, which is why we offer pure league play (with a required minimum of players) for our 9 and Under
Red Ball 2 and all of our 11 and Under Programs. We introduce the basic rules of tennis competition and play lots of fun games in 9
Under Red Ball 1 so that the kids are ready to leap into full on league play in 9 and Under Red Ball 2.
We understand that there are many technical skills to learn in tennis which is why we try to have slightly longer programs times in these
age groups, allowing us time to introduce and develop the necessary skills to play this great game. Please contact Mary Manley if you
have any questions or concerns regarding league play.
SPRING PROGRAMS NOW AT THE MEADOWS RECREATION CENTRE!
Drop In’s, Parent & Child and Regular Programs Available
March Drop In’s and May programs at The Meadows Recreation Centre in Millwoods are now open for registration! Please see the
schedule below for full details. This will be the first year that we offer a Spring Program for all age groups at our regular locations
and we are very excited to add The Meadows to our locations!
ON LINE REGISTRATION
Registration opens on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH. Go to www.tennisalberta.com to register for our Spring 2015 “I Play Tennis”
Programs. Click on the blue Little Aces tab on the top right then access the drop down menu for details and registration. Please
register early to avoid disappointment as some sessions do fill up quickly. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.
Lia Diffin will be handling all registrations and can be reached at [email protected] or 780-415-1695.
IN WHAT AGE GROUP SHOULD I REGISTER MY CHILD?
A player enters an age group based on a December 31st cutoff date (except for 4 year olds who must be 4 years old at the start date of
the program). Here is a chart of eligibility for each age group based on the year the child was born:
Birth Year
Program
Birth Year
Program
2011
Tots
2007
9 and Under
2010
Tots
2006
9 and Under
2009
7 and Under
2005
11 and Under
2008
7 and Under
2004
11 and Under
Red Ball 1 versus Red Ball 2?
We are a recreational sports organization with two levels of development for players in each age group. An incoming player registers
for the introductory level in that age group, ie. 7 and Under Red Ball 1. When that player successfully completes that program and can
demonstrate the necessary skills to move to the next level (this is up to parent & coach), they can enroll in 7 and Under Red Ball 2. Each
age group and level introduces new skills and strategies and children flow through the system in that manner. When we are limited with
our facility times, we only offer one Tots program. For the Spring Session, we will be offering both Tots programs.
HOLIDAYS
There are no missed dates in the Spring Session. We will be running programs on the May long weekend. Please thoroughly review the
schedule and please take careful note of the start and end dates.
REFUND POLICY
Full refunds less a $15 administrative fee and the 5% service fee, will be issued for any withdrawals made PRIOR TO the start of your
2nd week of classes. Any withdrawals made AFTER this deadline will not be eligible for a refund. Little Aces understands there may be
special circumstances that force a player to withdraw such as injury or sickness. In such cases, refunds or credits will be assessed on a
case by case basis
2015 SPRING PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Terwillegar Recreation Centre – 2051 Leger Road
Program
Tennis for Tots Learn to Play 1
Age
4&5
Time
Tue, 3:15 pm – 4 pm
Sun, 1 – 2 pm
Dates
Apr 7 – May 26 (8 wks)
Apr 12 – May 31 (8 wks)
Fee
$90
$120
Tennis for Tots Learn to Play 2
4&5
Sat, 1:15- 2:15 pm
Apr 11 – May 30 (8 wks)
$120
7 and Under Red Ball LTP 1
6&7
Tue, 4 – 5 pm
Sun, 2 – 3 pm
Apr 7 – May 26 (8 wks)
Apr 12 – May 31 (8 wks)
$120
$120
7 and Under Red Ball LTP 2
6&7
Sat, 2:15 – 3:15 pm
Apr 11 – May 30 (8 wks)
$120
9 and Under Red Ball LTP 1
8&9
Tue, 5 – 6 pm
Sun, 3 – 4 pm
Apr 7 – May 26 (8 wks)
Apr 12 – May 31 (8 wks)
$120
$120
9 and Under Red Ball 2 League
8&9
Sat, 3:15 – 4:30 pm
Apr 11 – May 30 (8 wks)
$150
Saville Community Sports Centre – U of A South Campus (in GO Centre gym, not Tennis Centre)
Program
Age
Time
Dates
11 and Under League
10 & 11
Sun, 9:30 am – 11 am
Apr 12 – May 31 (6 wks)
*CHANGE OF SCHEDULE. PROGRAM NOW 6 WEEKS LONG WITH 2 MISSED DATES
Missed Dates*
May 3, May 17
Fee
$135
Kinsmen Sports Centre – 9100 Walterdale Hill
Program
11 and Under ¾ Court League
Age
10 & 11
Time
Wed, 4 pm – 5 pm
Dates
April 8 – May 27 (8 wks)
Fee
$120
Meadows Community Recreation Centre – New Location!
May Madness Kids Program - 5 Saturdays - May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
This is an exciting introductory program for kids who want to learn a few basic tennis skills. We hope to offer a more extended
program at The Meadows in Fall 2015.
May Madness Program
Born
Time
Fee (introductory prices)
*Tennis for Tots Learn to Play
4&5
10 am - 11 am
$69
7 and Under Learn to Play
6&7
11 am – 12 pm
$69
9 and Under Learn to Play
8&9
11 am – 12 pm
$69
11 and Under Learn to Play
10 & 11
12 pm – 1 pm
$69
(This program is not a league)
**PLEASE NOTE the format of this program has changed to Tennis for Tots.
Usage of Red Ball and Orange Ball
The red ball is the most practical ball to learn tennis with at a young age because it bounces more slowly than other balls allowing the
child to develop their skills without being rushed. As a child develops, he or she will move on to a ball with more compression, the
orange ball, and then on to a green dot ball, then a regular green ball. Because most of our programs run in a gymnasium, the red ball
is used much more widely by us than by tennis clubs because the orange ball plays too rapidly off of a varnished gymnasium floor for
players to hit. The red ball bounces off a gymnasium floor at about the same rate as an orange ball bounces off of a tennis court. Our
11 and Under players at Kinsmen Sports Centre will be using an orange ball. All other programs will use a red ball.
Kids over the age of 11
Our mandate is to run tennis programs for children under the age of 11 but we understand that there are limited opportunities for
teenage players to receive instruction during the Winter months in Edmonton. If our 11 and Under programs are not full and your child
is just out of this age category, but otherwise qualifies for the class, we will look at trying to incorporate your child into the class. This
will be on a first come, first served basis.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I purchase a racquet?
Racquets may be ordered by emailing Lia at [email protected] or [email protected] or by calling her at 780415-1695. The cost is $20 per racquet. We will have appropriate sized racquets available on the first day of class and will accept
cash payments only at that time.
How do I know if my son/daughter’s racquet is the correct size?
Have your son/daughter stand straight up and hold the racquet straight down by her side. She should grip the racquet with the heel of
her hand lined up with the butt end of the racquet but not overhanging the end of the racquet. The head of the racquet should rest
between the top of the shoe and the ground. The racquet should not touch the ground.
What should my son/daughter wear and bring to program
Please wear indoor non-marking running shoes at all locations. Players will not be allowed into a gymnasium with street shoes or boots.
Players should wear comfortable loose clothing such as shorts or sweat pants.
Please bring a water bottle with players name on it;
Please clearly label your son’s/daughter’s racquet with his/her name. Felt pens will be available on the first day of class.
Can I sign my son/daughter up for more than one class?
You may sign your child up for more than one class, however, there are no fee reductions for registering in multiple classes.
Course Descriptions
Tennis for Tots - Introductory program for 4 & 5 year olds
*Participants MUST be 4 years of age at the beginning of their Tots program or have a birthdate in 2010.
Yes, toddlers can learn to play tennis too! This class will introduce fundamental physical literacy movements and teach basic racquet
and ball skills and is a perfect primer for Tots Plus! Fun filled coordination games and activities are at the core of the program with
essential skills such as controlled ball throwing and catching, and ball guiding, balancing and striking are taught. Tots will have the
opportunity to return coach or parent fed balls with their forehand.
Tots Plus – For graduated Tennis for Tots kids (4 & 5 year olds). Players must have completed this program and learned
the necessary skills. Please talk to your child’s coach if you are unsure of where to place your child.
Tots Plus kids will continue to develop their cooperative practicing skills, hand throwing to partners and other cooperative play
activities. Striking both coach/parent and partner fed balls to their forehands, these kids will work towards rally play.
7 and Under Red Ball 1 - Introductory program for 6 & 7 year olds
(born 2008 or 2009)
This program starts off as an accelerated merging of the Tots and Tots Plus classes with an emphasis on skill development and fun!
Players will be mixed and matched with different partners while practicing coordination and ball skills such as softly lofting to a
partner so they can bump the ball up and eventually return it back across the net. As forehand and backhand rally skills begin to
develop game playing will be introduced. Serving and volleying skills will also be introduced as players’ progress through the course.
7 and Under Red Ball 2 - For intermediate 7 and Under players who have mastered key skills from Red Ball 1 (born 2008 or 2009)
With prerequisites in place such as starting and maintaining a brief cooperative rally and feeding and returning balls with a partner,
actual game-playing can begin! Tactical solutions to game situations such as the use of the serve, backhand and volley, will be
covered. Similarly, fundamental technical ideas such as set-up, impact point, hitting zone, and grip will be highlighted as keys to ball
control with ball control, in turn, being the key to implementing tactics. Players will engage in fun competition with their classmates!
9 and Under Red Ball 1 - Intro program for 8 & 9 yr olds and for graduating 7 and Under Red Ball 2 players (born 2006 or 2007)
This course moves quickly through key rallying prerequisites from the 7U Red Ball 1 course. 7U Red Ball 2 content is launched soon
after and game playing begins! The backhand, serve, and volley strokes are taught as solutions to real game situations. Players will
engage in friendly competition in the second half of the course with technical and tactical aspects covered during play.
9 and Under Red Ball 2 League - For 9 and Under players who have mastered key skills from Red Ball 1 (born 2006 or 2007)
The emphasis in this course is league play! Given that players in this program can already rally, playing singles and doubles games
against players of similar skill level is the mainstay of this program. Teams will be formed early in the season, games will be played,
scores and standings will be kept, but it is a program where everyone is a winner! Ongoing technical instruction will take place at the
beginning of each day and reinforced throughout play. Come on out to play!
11 and Under ¾ Court League – For all 10 and 11 year olds (born 2004 or 2005)
11 and Under players graduate to a larger ¾ sized court. Cooperative rallying and partner activites are launched into quickly so that
game playing can begin! Playing singles and doubles games against players of similar skill level is the mainstay of this program. Teams
will be formed early in the season, games will be played, scores and standings will be kept, but it is a program where everyone is a
winner! Ongoing technical instruction will take place at the beginning of each day and reinforced throughout play. Come on out to
play!
11 and Under ¾ Court Learn to Play – Introductory course for new 10 & 11 year old players - Only at The Meadows
This is an introductory learn to play program which will introduce the basics of tennis in a short five week session. The forehand and
backhand strokes will be introduced and cooperative rallying will be the mainstay of this program.
Tennis Alberta Spring Programs – Adults
Kinsmen Sports Centre April 10 – May 29 (8 weeks)
Program
Age
Time
Fee
Tennis Xpress (beginning adult)
18 and over
Fri, 1 pm – 2 pm
Fri, 5 pm – 6:30 pm
$145
$215
Skills and Drills (intermediate adult)
18 and over
Fri, 2 pm – 3 pm
Fri, 6:30 pm – 8 pm
$145
$215
For information on all Adult Tennis Programs and to register, go to www.tennisalberta.com. All registration is conducted online.
You may also contact: Lia Diffin
Program Coordinator
[email protected]
780-415-1695