8 July 2014 | Tennis Queensland

Gold Coast Medibank Junior Development Series Squad

 On the 28^th of June we saw a beautiful Saturday morning at Australia Tennis Academy with  50 Medibank Junior Development Series players participating in the first ever Gold Coast MJDS Squad.

 An initiative granted by the Gold Coast Regional Tennis Assembly, to provide a squad atmosphere for our MJDS players which also incorporated tennis etiquette training for players and a parent educations session for parents.

 A huge thank you to our coaches, Noel Callaghan (Australia Tennis Academy), James Rapkins (Beenleigh Tennis Club),  Gavin Vickers (Tennis Plus – Queens Park) Connie Chan (Somerset College) and Blake Taylor (2014 Medibank Gold Coast MJDS coordinator) for their support and help throughout the days event.

 Also James Tucker from Tennis Officials Australia was in attendance to teach the players general tennis etiquette, followed by an information session for all parents.

 All participants rotated through the 5 coaching stations, fitness testing with Ellie and etiquette with James. Each rotation saw a different theme focus for all coaches, so players got a full array of learning opportunities, and benefited greatly from the wealth of knowledge from all coaches.

 Once the coaching sessions had wrapped up, Blake ran a mixed doubles match play, combining all ages and players together. Finally we finished with a quick game of soccer, frizbee or basketball.

 All of the 50 participants truly enjoyed a wonderful day, and parents also got important information out of their session with James Tucker.

 A special thanks must be made to our coaches, plus James Tucker, Blake Taylor and Sport Sense for providing the kids with a MJDS Squad shirt to train in.

 We are hoping to have another event this year as it was truly a great day.

 Don’t forget to get your nominations in for the remaining MJDS events on the Gold Coast.