New York Family Partner: Tennis For Kids

Last month’s coverage of the US Open put tennis in the forefront for busy New York families and provided a communal effect from following the day’s matches. Watching the amazing athletes play stirred a motivation inside of many, and made us want to get out on the courts ourselves. It also helped children of all ages take note of the sport, perhaps for the first time. Luckily, the youngest tykes in town can take “advantage” and start their own tennis lessons at Advantage QuickStart Tennis. Paul Fontana, Director of the QuickStart program at Advantage Tennis, says their program teaches children of a wide range of ages the basics of the game, and now with their new Racquetiers® program, toddlers as young as 2 can learn how to play.

Racquetiers® is an innovative program that enables children 2-4 years of age to learn the fundamentals of tennis. It introduces the youngest players to the sport, and helps them develop body awareness, coordination, and balance. Mom and dad can get in on the excitement, too, in this adult participation class.

Through the use of different sized racquets, balls, and even courts, QuickStart teaches children the proper techniques in a fun environment. The classes, which are referred to as levels, are categorized by age, but the goal of each club is to teach kids to hit the ball and employ the proper strokes at their appropriate level. Instructors use engaging drills and games to make the experience enjoyable.

Older kids can begin at any age, and need no prior experience. Don’t worry if your child is not exactly a natural athlete because once the skills are learned, the rest will follow. “That’s the beauty of tennis,” Fontana says. “If children learn the basic movement and strokes, and you make sure they’re having fun, the athleticism will catch up.”

Perhaps what makes Advantage’s programs stand out the most is their curriculum and pathways system. Through their structured and formulated program, children and parents know what they will be taught from class to class. Once kids are involved in a program, there is a definite progression, so children can start out at age 2 in the Racquetiers®, then from 4-6, enjoy the Red Ball Foam level. From 5-8, it’s Red Ball Felt level. The red ball courts measure 36- by 18-ft. Ages 6-9 is Orange Ball with a 60- by 21-ft court, and 8-12 is Green Ball using a court that measures 78- by 27-ft. The racquets change size as well, starting with a 15.5-inch racquet in the Racquetiers® and progressing to a 27-inch racquet, in the Green Ball level. For the older set, junior programs are also offered for ages up to 18, as well as adult lessons.

Although Fontana has been teaching tennis for 30 years, he didn’t learn to play until he was 25, and says that anyone can learn if they put their mind to it and learn the correct strokes. For him, it all began when as a young golf instructor, one of his golf students asked if he could teach him how to play tennis, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Fontana is very proud of the work that the team at QuickStart has done to create and implement the new and exciting curriculums. “It’s a strong program with key educational elements for all children,” he explains. “We put a huge amount of time and effort into developing the program, and we invite everyone to come out and enjoy it.”

Advantage QuickStart Tennis has multiple locations:

Columbia Prep School Gym, 4 West 93rd Street

Hunter College, Lexington Avenue & 68th Street

Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club, 450 West 43rd Street

New York Tennis Club, 3081 Harding Avenue, Bronx

Roosevelt Island Sports Park Gym, 250 Main Street, Roosevelt Island

United Nations International School (UNIS), 2450 FDR Drive

75th Street Between 2nd & 3rd Avenues

To learn more about the Advantage QuickStart Tennis and the Racquetiers® program, visit quickstartny.com.