SEBASTIAN — Coach John Danise has helped kids get their start in tennis in North Indian River County for more than two decades and he’s gearing up to begin a six-week tennis program on Saturday.
To kick off that series of lessons for kids ages 5 to 10, Danise hosted the Nickelodeon Worldwide Day of Play Thursday in Sebastian. Though the cloudy weather kept the crowds away, those who did show up for the free tennis clinic got some great tips, drills and coaching from Danise.
Participants received a hat and a magnet from sponsors to help them remember the Nickelodeon Worldwide Day of Play event.
Danise, who has coached the Sebastian River High School team since 1993 and run the John Danise School of Tennis, has gathered a group of coaches to volunteer their time to make the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) program fun and affordable.
“We all donate our time, all the coaches who work with me and the students from Sebastian River High School who come out to help,” Danise said.
Volunteers from the Sebastian River HIgh School Sharks men’s and ladies’ tennis teams were on hand to help with students and with setup and breakdown of equipment during the Nickelodeon Worldwide Day of Play. The high school volunteers will be joined by others who will work with the younger kids during the six weeks of lessons in the NJTL program.
The program, Danise said, was started by tennis legend Arthur Ashe.
“Arthur Ashe believed that tennis was about a whole lot more than hitting a ball around a court,” Danise said.
In addition to basic tennis skills and etiquette, the program focuses on discipline and on character-building activities. Through the six weeks of play, students and coaches build a rapport and learn from positive role models.
For the youngest kids, Danise uses a half court with a special net and rackets that are slightly larger to allow the students to experience success, to learn in closer proximity to the coaches and to gain confidence in their game.
With a cost of only $36 for six group lessons, which includes a T-Shirt and the use of all the equipment, the NJTL program is an ideal first foray into tennis.
According to the United States Tennis Association website, the NJTL network is “a nationwide group of more than 600 nonprofit youth development organizations that provide free or low cost tennis, education and life skills programming to more than 250,000 children each year.”
“NJTL develops the character of young people by emphasizing the ideals and life of co-founder Arthur Ashe . While NJTL’s vary in size and programming, this growing network shares a commitment to positive youth development, the importance of education, and tennis as a lifetime sport,” the USTA states.
The kids will be broken into three age groups so they can better learn with other kids of their own age, size and skill level. Danise said he welcomes students who have never picked up a racket before as well as students with some experience on the court.
To register for the tennis program starting Saturday, call John or Bobbie Danise at 772-589-4278 or just show up at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Schumann Tennis Complex on Schumann Drive in Sebastian. Lessons begin at 9:15 a.m.