If your child is interested in individual lessons – they must be a member and be involved in Gidea park group coaching.
Mini Tennis
Blue Stage
Learn the basics (Age 4-6)
This is an introduction to tennis. Here, we’ll help kids improve their balance, agility and co-ordination while teaching them about the sport we love. At this stage it’s not about winning or losing, it’s just getting to grips with the basics.
Red Stage
Serve, rally and score (Age 6-8)
This will look a bit more like the tennis you know. You’ll see overarm serves, rallies and volleys. Coaches will help children to further develop their co-ordination, balance and speed. We’ll introduce relaxed competition here too.
Orange Stage
Develop a rounded game (Age 8-9)
Time to throw in some tactics, problem-solving, and guides to sportsmanship and leadership. At this stage children will have a better understanding with the rules and will be serving and returning in matches.
Invitational Sessions
Gidea Park are proud to have so many fantastic junior players who train 2/3 times per week in our invitational sessions. We offer sessions to all age groups, starting at 8yrs and under all the way to u18. These sessions are designed to be performance focused, allowing each player to develop their tactical game. To be invited to these sessions, each player must be having individual lessons, competing in tournaments and be the right standard for the group. The coaching team will help make these decisions.
Junior Club Night
Junior club night runs every Friday 6-7pm from April – September. Organised by the coaching team, friendly doubles and games from ages 10yrs+
Junior Club Championships
Gidea Park runs the Junior Club Championships over June -August.
We encourge all our juniors members of all abilities to compete in their age group. Age groups are 8&under mixed, 9&under mixed, 10&under mixed, 12&under boys and girls, 14&under boys and girls, 18&under boys and girls. The coaches run each event while supporting players new this environment.
The players who qualify to the final, will play this on the adult and junior club finals day in September.
Representing Gidea Park LTC Junior Teams
Gidea Park are proud to have so many juniors represent the club in all ages. We run teams for 8 and under, 9 and under, 10 and under, u12, u14 and u18. We are involved in the National Club league Essex division and Chelmsford District league. The coaching team is always encourging our junior members to represent the club and enjoy competeing. Historically, Gidea Park juniors have won many titles in all age groups and i’m sure this will continue.
U10 Team Aegon 2018/19- Left Thulasi, Esme, Nathan, George. Right – Casey, Luke , Arunesh and Ben
Tennis For Kids LTA Scheme
Gidea Park had fun running this scheme for the past 3 years, with many children falling in love with the sport and continue to play regularly in the club programme.
Kids Holiday Tennis Camps – ages 4-13yrs
Gidea Parks Holiday Kids Camps are jam packed full of fun games, tennis drills and co – ordination exercises for all abilities.
For ages 4-13yrs, the camp is divided into ages and abilities. The coaches and team of leaders make sure whatever the weather, its a safe environment whilst full of fun.
All camps are run through the school holidays (sometimes with a theme involved) and run from 10.15am – 1.15pm.
All equipment supplied and recommend children turn up with a snack box and drink.
Members cost £15 Non members cost £18
Performance Holiday Camps 10yrs – 16yrs
The head pro runs performance camps for 10yrs – 16yrs (standards separated) These camps are for players not afraid of hard work and regularly compete in tournaments. They run most school holidays.
LTA Grade 6 Tournaments held at Gidea Park LTC
We run LTA Grade 6 Tournaments most school holidays. We run tournaments for u8’s, u9’s, u10’s and u12’s. For so many years they have been popular with our junior members and attracted many players outside the county to compete.
Parent and Child events – Quorn Family Cup
The Quorn Family Cup is a fantastic event allowing the parent to get involved with their child. Played on mini red courts, players under 10yrs and their parent challenge other parings. This is for all abilities and is divided in standards.
As its a very popular event we will be running 2 events this year. U10yrs and parent (mini court) and u16yrs and parent (full size court)
Teenage Rouge Tennis and Pizza Tournaments
Our teenage rouge tennis and pizza tournaments are a great way for your teenagers to hang out, play the fun game rouge (which all of them should know) and finish off with some pizza. We run them every 6/8 weeks on a Saturday afternoon.
Christmas Junior Presentation and Party
Christmas Junior Presentation and Party runs on a Saturday during December. This is a very popular event for children and parents. We run many different party games inside the club house and on the outside tennis court (beat santa). The evening is full of prizes and entertainment.
This is a great opportunity for the coaching team to thank all parents, helpers, junior club secretary, tuck shop workers, junior team capatins, leaders and all the juniors. The players who represented the club team or got to the final in the club championships will be awarded prizes or trophies.
Last year we were lucky enough to have the famous Gidea Park Snow White Panto (performed by many adult club members) in the club house where the children and especially the parents thoroughly enjoyed.
Junior presentation 2019
Local School links
We are proud to support our local Primary and Secondary Schools. We are currently delivering tennis in 4 schools from year 1 to year 6 and 1 secondary school before school, during lunchtime or after school.
Schools we are linked to – Gidea Park Primary School, Gidea Park College, Ardleigh Green School Infant and Junior, Drapers Pyrgo Priory School, Frances Bardsley Academy.
Girl Set and Match
Girl Set Match is an LTA event run once a year. This is where Gidea Parks teenage girls and ladies come together and enjoy 2 hrs of action packed tennis run by the head pro.
Tennis leaders
Our tennis leaders play a very important role, they help support the coach, teach and encourage the children. All tennis leaders have qualified through a LTA leaders course run by the head pro.
If you are interested in being a tennis leader, you must be 13yrs or older and be playing in Gidea Parks tennis sessions. The head pro runs these courses a couple of times a year.
Saturday’s Cafe / Tuck shop
Our Saturday cafe/tuck shop is very popular with the kids and parents. It provides hot and cold food, snacks and drinks. Carolyn, Sally and Elanie share the running of the cafe and this is also a good time to talk to Carolyn about any further questions on your childs tennis squads and fees.
Frequently asked questions for signing your child up to the junior sessions?
How do I sign up?
Contact Carolyn Club Jnr secretary on 07908887300 or email gpltc.juniors@gmail.com
How much do I need to pay?
Gidea Park sessions usually run in 10 week blocks (£60) all year round. If you would like to book onto a block of sessions, please contact Carolyn and you will be informed the amount sessions you have left in the block. Each session is £6 and must be paid in blocks.
What happens when it is bad weather?
We run sessions in most weather conditions, however, in heavy rain or snow or court flooding Carolyn will contact you via whats app and will be credited on the next block of lessons.
Does my child have to be a member?
Yes, every child who attends a squad session or individual lesson must join as a member. This entitles you to play on the courts all year round, represent the club, be on the mailing lists, cheaper kids camps and other membership perks. Membership runs April through to the following March and reduces each month. 8yrs and under starts at £40 for the year. All membership rates are on the membership column.
Can my child receive individual coaching?
Yes they can, we have 6 coaches at the club that can offer individual coaching. You can contact them to see their availability using the Coaches section. All junior members must be involved in Gidea park group to be able to have individual lessons.
Do I need a racket?
If you have one, bring along and we will check the size is right for your child. If you don’t have a racket, we have a rackets for you.
What does my child wear?
Trainers and clothes your child can be active in. We play all year round through all weather conditions, so please dress accordingly.
Does my child need to have played before?
No, we coach players from just starting all the way through.