Narrabri tennis aces put through their paces by world-renowned coach Clint Packer

There was once a time when Clint Packer was a youngster in Narrabri, determined to forge a career in tennis after being born into a tennis family and learning the game from his father, Geoff Packer, and those who coached him as he grew older.

So to return home to Narrabri and run a coaching session alongside his cousin, Rod Kirk, for today’s young players was an opportunity that the world-renowned coach jumped at.

Packer and Kirk ran a session last week on Wednesday, November 9, at the multi-purpose court at Narrabri West Public School.

The young players involved in the session are coached by Kirk, who has been operating his coaching business RAKet Sports for the past six months and is quite close to becoming a fully qualified tennis coach.

Kirk is the Narrabri and District Tennis Association president and has multiple championships in town. He is enjoying his coaching journey as he mentors keen up-and-coming players, and he told The Courier he was thrilled that his cousin accepted his invitation to run a session alongside him.

“Our mums are twin sisters, so we were like brothers growing up,” Kirk said.

“I think it’s an opportunity of a lifetime for these kids to have someone of Clint’s calibre give them a few lessons,”
he added.

“It was a good chance to get all the kids that I’ve been coaching privately together in a group situation to meet each other too.”

Rod Kirk and Clint Packer at the Narrabri West Public School multi-purpose court, where they put a group of young tennis players through a training session on Wednesday, November 9. Rod Kirk and Clint Packer at the Narrabri West Public School multi-purpose court, where they put a group of young tennis players through a training session on Wednesday, November 9.

Jimmy Johnstone. Jimmy Johnstone.

Amelia Lennox. Amelia Lennox.

Olivia Campbell. Olivia Campbell.

Billy Johnstone. Billy Johnstone.

Nina Campbell. Nina Campbell.

Ryan Warnock. Ryan Warnock.

Charlie Johnstone. Charlie Johnstone.

Taryn Kirk. Taryn Kirk.

Sadie Craig. Sadie Craig.

Ryan Baker. Ryan Baker.

Stella Craig. Stella Craig.

At the Narrabri West Public School multi-purpose court on Wednesday, November 9 – back, Rod Kirk, Olivia and Nina Campbell, Billy and Charlie Johnstone, Taryn Kirk, Summer Fernance, Clint Packer, front, Stella and Sadie Craig, Isabella Campbell, Ryan Warnock, Bronte Lennox, Shay Fernance, Huxley Ward, Jimmy Johnstone, Cullen Ward, Ryan Baker, Amelia Lennox and Lexi Fernance. At the Narrabri West Public School multi-purpose court on Wednesday, November 9 – back, Rod Kirk, Olivia and Nina Campbell, Billy and Charlie Johnstone, Taryn Kirk, Summer Fernance, Clint Packer, front, Stella and Sadie Craig, Isabella Campbell, Ryan Warnock, Bronte Lennox, Shay Fernance, Huxley Ward, Jimmy Johnstone, Cullen Ward, Ryan Baker, Amelia Lennox and Lexi Fernance.

The focus of the training session was ground strokes, weight transfer and body positioning to ensure that the young players are able to strike the ball as effectively as possible.

Packer enjoyed the session as well as visiting Narrabri to catch up with family and friends, especially his brothers Stephen and Robert Packer and sister Melissa Hancock.

“It’s so nice to be home,” he said.

“It’s something I don’t get a chance to do enough.

“Even just getting back to Australia is nice. I only really get back here for the Australian Open each year, and I then get a chance to come to Narrabri after that.

“It’s unusual for me to be here this time of year, but I’ve got a little bit of a gap before I head back on tour, and Rodney asked if I’d come along and look at the progression of the kids and also his progression as a coach, and I’m only too happy to do that.

“It was a great afternoon, and it’s great to see the kids out here playing the sport for the love of it.”

Packer is the owner and director of PLANiTPRO, a world-class tennis coaching business that is based in Wellington.

PLANiTPRO runs programs for players of all ages and abilities, which are offered at Renouf Tennis Centre, Miramar Tennis Club, the Kilbirnie Tennis Club and Scots College.

Both Packer and the business boast impressive resumes.

Packer has won New Zealand’s high performance coach of the year award, has been an ATP, WTA and ITF pro touring coach for more than 20 years, and has coached players to more than 100 national and international titles.

PLANiTPro has accomplished 100 national and international title wins and 10 professional ITF/WTA/ATP titles, and has developed 40 national representatives and 35 division one and two college placements.

“I was born into tennis,” Packer said.

“My dad’s a life member of Narrabri Tennis Club, and I’ve been really lucky to have it as a career. It’s one that has taken me to over 100 countries.

“I feel blessed.”