28 March 2012 | Tennis Queensland

Return Serve had its first session on Monday and was a wonderful hit with participants.

The purpose of the non-for-profit tennis based organisation is to give disadvantaged/ disabled players of all ages the opportunity to play regular tennis at a world-class facility, have access to top-level coaching and instruction, and to meet and cultivate relationships with young elite players in a shared experience that will advance the moral and social education of both parties.

Dave Hodge, Queensland’s National Academy Head Coach and founder of Return Serve, feels the program is a wonderful way to give back to tennis.

“Return Serve facilitates tennis opportunities for people who don’t have the available resources to become involved in tennis,” Hodge said.

“Our goal is to further the interests of the broader community by providing equipment, courts, coaching and playing opportunities to the disadvantaged; assisting early-career coaches in attaining higher certification levels, and freely sharing their skills with program participants; and providing elite young players an opportunity to give back to a sport.”

For their first session, 27 disadvantaged participants from the  community enjoyed two hours of tennis activities, coaching and afternoon tea with the assistance of a dedicated group of volunteers including leading Queensland professionals Michael Look and Isaac Frost.

At the moment, Return Serve meets every Monday, with the aim to expand over other days by the end of the year.

Return Serve would also like to thank UQ Sport, Prince, and the National Academy – Queensland for their ongoing support.

Would you like to be involved in Return Serve or make a donation?

Contact David Hodge;  e: [email protected] or ph: 3120 7916