Tennis ACT and Maxim Chartered Accountants have joined forces to launch the Talent Stars Red Ball Program, designed for talented youngsters aged between five and eight.
The program follows the MLC Tennis Hot Shots Red Ball guidelines for training and competition, and uses modified equipment for children, allowing them to play like the professionals – complete with serves, rallies and net play.
Maxim Chartered Accountants Mark Peatey said his company was keen to play a role in helping to support Australia’s rising talent.
“Maxim Chartered Accountants is proud to be associated with the Talent Stars program, Talent Stars is a great initiative by Tennis ACT helping build tennis stars of the future by creating the right environment for young tennis players to develop and we look forward to our ongoing commitment long into the future”” Peatey said.
The Maxim Talent Stars have been identified by their club coach as having the potential to play elite junior tennis.
The Maxim scholarship allows qualified MLC Tennis Hot Shots coaches to offer free squad coaching for one hour per week for five weeks each term.
Scholarship holders will be assessed by National Academy coach Todd Larkham and given feedback to accelerate their improvement.
“The program is great for kids starting out. The modified court makes it a lot of fun for them as they are able to compete and do all the things the pros do at a very young age,” Larkham said.
“I give them a few tips, but the main objective is to instil a passion for tennis in them early.”
Larkham said there are some great coaches involved in the Maxim Talent Stars program.
They include former professional Alun Jones (National Sports Club Lyneham), Owen Peemoeller (Melba Tennis Club), Brett Lennard (Old Parliament House), Frank Calabria (Forrest Tennis Club) and David Fisher (Mpowerdome).
The Talent Stars program has three developmental stages: red, orange and green. The aim of the program is to teach the children the basic technical and tactical fundamentals of tennis.
Latest
ACT