Ace deal for kids

Mt Carmel Tennis junior players Erin and Lachlan. (Andrew Peake) 244722_01

By Oliver Lees

Mt Carmel Tennis Club in Sunbury is providing free 12-month club memberships to encourage kids to give sport a go.

Funded by VicHealth, the scholarship will include 12 months of coaching, a tennis racket and enough balls to last a year for 10 children.

Mt Carmel Tennis Club president and head coach Andrew Peake said the scholarship is open to all children aged up to 16, but hopes to target those that have barriers preventing them from getting into sport.

“If someone said to me that their son doesn’t do any sport at the moment, that could be because they’re disadvantaged in some way, and we’d like to help in that regard,” Mr Peake said.

“We’re a good local club, we have social tennis for members and non-members, and in regular years we like to have functions to bring everyone together.”

Mt Carmel Tennis Club has about150 members with 50-60 junior players and staff.

The program will include a staggered program, starting with weekly coaching sessions.

The aim by the end of the 12 months is to have the participants transition from one weekly coaching session, to joining team training, before taking part in competition.

To get involved, contact: 0412 225 792.