Young tennis aces brace the summer heat at school holiday clinic

Narrabri Tennis hosted the second of its two summer holiday clinics this week.

The first of those was a two-day pre-Christmas clinic on Thursday, December 19, and Friday, December 20. The second started on Monday and finished today.

Narrabri Tennis head coach Shane Murphy said that he was pleased with numbers at this week’s clinic despite the heat, with the youngsters showing resilience in the warm conditions.

The first Narrabri Tennis clinic of the year focused on forehands and rallies on Monday, forehand revision, backhand introduction and more rallies on Tuesday, serving and match play on Wednesday and net play today.

Assisting Murphy in the coaching department were sisters Emily and Laura McFarland as well as Matt Nash.

Junior tennis players will return to the courts when Narrabri Tennis’ Friday afternoon junior tennis match play resumes in February.

Ryan McConnell, Matilda Murphy, Harley Myers, Grace Freeman, Charlie Johnston, Christopher Welsh, Winnie Winston-Smith, Cully Nairn, Ruby Greentree and Thomas McFarland at the Narrabri Tennis holiday clinic yesterday. Ryan McConnell, Matilda Murphy, Harley Myers, Grace Freeman, Charlie Johnston, Christopher Welsh, Winnie Winston-Smith, Cully Nairn, Ruby Greentree and Thomas McFarland at the Narrabri Tennis holiday clinic yesterday.

Pat Welsh keeps his eye on the ball as he volleys at the net. Pat Welsh keeps his eye on the ball as he volleys at the net.

Cooper Butler launches into a powerful forehand shot. Cooper Butler launches into a powerful forehand shot.

Sophie Hartnett returns serve with a powerful forehand shot down the line. Sophie Hartnett returns serve with a powerful forehand shot down the line.

Billy Johnson serves. Billy Johnson serves.

Callum Wales serves. Callum Wales serves.

Back, Callum Wales, coach Matt Nash, front Charlie Butler, Brad Ryan, Cooper Butler, Christian Roth and Jack Hartnett. Back, Callum Wales, coach Matt Nash, front Charlie Butler, Brad Ryan, Cooper Butler, Christian Roth and Jack Hartnett.

Tess Redfern stretches to continue a rally with a well-timed backhand shot. Tess Redfern stretches to continue a rally with a well-timed backhand shot.

Brad Ryan returns a tricky serve with an aerial lobbed forehand shot. Brad Ryan returns a tricky serve with an aerial lobbed forehand shot.

Jack Hartnett hits a forhand shot from the baseline. Jack Hartnett hits a forhand shot from the baseline.

Back, Narrabri Tennis head coach Shane Murphy, front, Billy Johnson, Viktor Roth, Pat Welsh, Tim Etheridge, Leo Roth, Mabel Tucker, Emma Redfern, Abi Smith, Sophie Hartnett and Tess Redfern. Back, Narrabri Tennis head coach Shane Murphy, front, Billy Johnson, Viktor Roth, Pat Welsh, Tim Etheridge, Leo Roth, Mabel Tucker, Emma Redfern, Abi Smith, Sophie Hartnett and Tess Redfern.