21 July 2011 | Tennis NT

Junior talent was on display at Tennis Gove with two Talent Search camps conducted by National Talent Development and DTC Sports Head Coach, Pat Coburn. The camps, aimed at 10/u and 12/u participants also included a Parent Information Forum where Coburn explained what it takes to be a National Athlete using current pathways and training schedules designed for the NT. Tennis Gove’s Head Coach and Club Manager, Nicky Mayer said “it was fantastic for someone of Pat’s calibre to come to Gove and inspire our top junior players.  It wasn’t easy to select a handful of talented 10/u children, as there are over 100 registered at the club!”
Pat was also on hand to coordinate an Introduction to MLC Hot Shots Coach course.

After the Talent Search programs Tennis NT’s Development Coordinator, Jamie Stefanato and Nicky Mayer flew to Groote Eylandt, an island located in the Gulf of Carpentaria 650km east of Darwin. Both island schools of Angurugu and Alyangula had the opportunity to be part of the Tennis in Schools program with over 180 children participating.  Additionally, Bickerton Island School took a charter flight to Groote Eylandt to join in the fun. An Introduction to MLC Tennis Hots Shots Coach course was also conducted by Jamie and Nicky for the teachers at both Groote Eylandt schools.

Nicky and Jamie then took a charter flight to Garrthalala (a remote Indigenous community), where according to Nicky “the crocodiles eat the buffaloes”.  Nicky and Jamie saw firsthand how talented the Indigenous children were. Using the Hot Shots modified equipment the children were taught the basic elements of the game. With a translator on hand the children relished the opportunity to play and show off their skills, which proved these remote communities are an un-tapped resource.  As the modified equipment was easy to use the translator was more than happy to continue teaching the children tennis activities, with equipment left behind as part of Tennis NT’s Regional Development Program.