Narrabri Tennis kicks off 2021 with a clinic | PHOTOS

Narrabri Tennis welcomed back local junior players to the Dangar Park Tennis Centre last week for its first holiday clinic of the new year.

The clinic ran from Monday, January 4, to Thursday, January 7. Labelled the ‘New Year Clinic’, it was held just two weeks after the ‘Christmas Clinic’’ which ran from Monday, December 21 to Wednesday, December 23.

Both clinics focused on teaching the junior players the basics of the game in a fun environment.

Participants were coached on their forehands, backhands, rallies, serving, net play and match play.

Narrabri Tennis head coach Shane Murphy said that the junior players had a blast during both weeks.

“Both our Christmas and new year clinics were very popular despite the rainy weather we had,” Murphy said.

“We had about 40 kids at the first clinic and mid 30s at the new year one, so it’s been pretty good numbers.

“We always have fun at our clinics, everyone runs around and learns some skills and footwork, everything tennis, it’s a great time.

Back, George Bennett, Cooper Butler, Callum Wales, Emma Redfern, Tess Redfern, Charlie Butler, front, Pat Welsh, Maeve Harris, Jad Harris, Jack Hartnett and Sophie Hartnett. Back, George Bennett, Cooper Butler, Callum Wales, Emma Redfern, Tess Redfern, Charlie Butler, front, Pat Welsh, Maeve Harris, Jad Harris, Jack Hartnett and Sophie Hartnett.

Back, Chris Welsh, Isabelle Chapell, Matilda Murphy, Chloe Cameron, front, Mason Bales, Charlotte Murphy and Lila McManus. Back, Chris Welsh, Isabelle Chapell, Matilda Murphy, Chloe Cameron, front, Mason Bales, Charlotte Murphy and Lila McManus.

Back, Orlagh Leven, Harry Cameron, Andre Leculier, August Downs, Evie McManus, Sophie Chapell, Maddie Fenton, front, Lucy Murphy, Leah Bales, Nate Fenton, Gisele Buttsworth and Wyatt Buttsworth. Back, Orlagh Leven, Harry Cameron, Andre Leculier, August Downs, Evie McManus, Sophie Chapell, Maddie Fenton, front, Lucy Murphy, Leah Bales, Nate Fenton, Gisele Buttsworth and Wyatt Buttsworth.

Holiday clinic coaches Alex Bennett and Laura McFarland, Narrabri Tennis head coach Shane Murphy and holiday clinic coach Seamus Hunt. Holiday clinic coaches Alex Bennett and Laura McFarland, Narrabri Tennis head coach Shane Murphy and holiday clinic coach Seamus Hunt.

Emma Redfern. Emma Redfern.

Pat Welsh. Pat Welsh.

Sophie Hartnett. Sophie Hartnett.

George Bennett. George Bennett.

Maeve Harris. Maeve Harris.

Charlotte Murphy (behind is Chris Welsh). Charlotte Murphy (behind is Chris Welsh).

Charlie Butler. Charlie Butler.

Jad Harris. Jad Harris.

Callum Wales. Callum Wales.

“The new year clinic was part of the Australian Open Kids’ Rally program.

“The Aussie Open will start next month, with COVID pushing back the start date, and Tennis Australia has given out special certificates and lanyards that each participant received.

“They are trying to strengthen the link between kids playing tennis anywhere to the Australian Open.

“It’s been fun.”

Murphy said that Narrabri Tennis coaching would restart in February, as would the Narrabri District Tennis Association’s four-person teams Wednesday night competition as well as the Friday junior matchplay.

Narrabri has also secured another junior tournament which has been scheduled for June.