Tennis for Kids
About Hot Shots
Tennis Hot Shots (THS) is the national starter tennis programme for New Zealand children. With almost 200 venues nationwide, it's easy to start playing! Tennis Hot Shots is just for kids. Smaller courts, shorter racquets and softer balls mean that kids can play a proper game of tennis from the moment they step on court.
Developed and owned by Tennis Australia, THS has been running since 2008. Its launch in New Zealand in October 2013 has made this world class programme international.
Serve, Rally, Score!
Serving, rallying and scoring is made easy because of the smaller courts, slower balls and shorter racquets. THS sessions are made up of tactical, technical, fun and social elements which create developmental readiness in children.
Kids move through stages that suit their age and stage of development. As players improve, the balls get a bit bouncier, the racquets a bit longer and the court a bit bigger. With THS it's not a race to the yellow ball and both new players and competent ones will develop all the tactical, technical, mental and physical skills required for tennis whilst progressing through the stages of the programme.
Schools, Coaches & Clubs
A great opportunity for a child's first tennis experience!
Lots of children experience tennis for the very first time at school through the Tennis Hot Shots Schools component. To get tennis into your school, to find out more about the costs, scheduling and availability of the programme, simply contact the appropriate person in your region.
Tennis Hot Shots is THE name for kids’ tennis in New Zealand. Tennis Hot Shots Coaching reinforces international best practice - promoting the game using a learning through play philosophy meaning kids learn TENNIS rather than just technique. There are plenty of opportunities for play through sessions based around fun, tactical play, skills and social development.
It’s an official Tennis New Zealand programme, which means you have our full support, as well as support from owners and developers Tennis Australia. From an iOS and android app for drills, activities and lesson plans, to marketing campaigns, everything is covered.
Hot Shots is a great addition to your tennis coaching business, and it’s a great investment. The Tennis Hot Shots format allows for groups of children to play at once on the same court – no queues, no standing around. For just $200 you can join the programme and receive $1000 of benefits. What are you waiting for?!
Tennis Hot Shots caters for clubs of all sizes and in all locations. Community Play is a programme designed especially for clubs and can be used very successfully in conjunction with your coaches Hot Shots coaching programme, or on its own if you don't have a coach!
Community Play can be run by club volunteers, parents or guardians or coaches. It is a play based programme which gives all children the opportunity to play in a fun, supportive environment.
Tournaments
Competing is at the heart of sport, including tennis. The vast majority of young players aspire to improve their game and compete in appropriate surroundings.
Tennis Hot Shots Tournaments align with the philosophy and development stages of the Hot Shots programme. Catering for children aged 5-12 in the red, orange and green stages of the programme, they use smaller courts, shorter racquets and super hittable balls which means kids can play and enjoy tennis from their first try.
A child having a great competitive experience relevant to their age and standard, at their local club or centre, is the cornerstone of having them fall in love with the sport and therefore become lifelong participants.
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