Guideline to levels of play

Fundamentals 1 & 2: 

For Infant school and our weekend programme for 4-7yrs, the  fundamentals programmes core focus is ensuring all students have the fundamental movement and motor skills required to learn to play tennis. Alongside these core competencies players will be introduced to the skills required in tennis including all strokes and rallying. These groups will be broken up into abilities and players will be challenged accordingly. Players will use the red (Fundamentals 1) and progress to the orange ball (Fundamentals 2) depending on ability and age.

Beginner/Intermediate:

For those players new to the game or still learning the fundamentals and building confidence in rallying and serving. We will break this group into multiple sub groups depending on ability. There is very much a range of abilities of this group with the training catered to the sub-group themselves. Those that are new to the sport, will start with the basic fundamentals of the game, and those with experience but are still mastering the technique and gaining more experience through rallying, serving and point play will be challenged and prepared to move into the intermediate/advanced group.

We believe in teaching correct technique, but through a balanced approach by introducing rallying and as much success at an early stage.  With small groups (no more than 6) and a station approach we are able to ensure we cover all aspects of the game including technical, tactical, physical mental. At this stage more focus is on technical and physical.

Depending on age and ability players will progress from orange, green to yellow ball. Once students reach Grade 5 they will transition to yellow ball. 

Intermediate/Pre-Competition:

If you are able to rally (at least 10 shots over in a row) with good technique,  and serve (at least 50% in) then you are best suited to intermediate/pre-competition. This group will be broken up into sub groups, to work towards getting players ready for the Competitive Level (School team and Phoenix Squad). If competing for the school team is not the ultimate goal, but you are wanting to continue to improve, train, play with friends, stay active then training at the intermediate/advanced level will still be challenging. 

Depending on age and ability players will progress from orange, green to yellow ball. Once students reach Grade 5 they will transition to yellow ball. 

Competitive (School team and Phoenix Squad):

This is for tournament level players, wanting to compete for the school team and beyond. Players need to be confident in rallying and serving. To enter the school team you must trial. For U11 as long as you can rally and serve you will make a team. However for U14 and U19 we do need to make some cuts depending on numbers. The Phoenix Squad is run to compliment the School team Training in the off seasons, to ensure a full year programme, and to better develop the players.  

U11 teams train and compete with green dot ball, however grade 5 will transition to yellow ball. 

To enter the Phoenix Squad you may need to trial if we are not aware of your level or if we are over subscribed. For more information on the school teams and Phoenix Squads click here.