A Parent’s Guide to Starting Tennis for the First Time 🎾
Tennis is a fantastic way to get kids moving, building confidence, and learning new skills — but if you’re a parent considering kids tennis lessons in the Illawarra for the first time, you might be wondering what it’s all about.
We’ve put together a simple guide to help you understand how beginner tennis works, what your child will need, and how to make their first experience a great one.
🏃♂️ Why Tennis is Great for Beginners
Whether your child is sporty or just starting out, tennis is one of the most beginner-friendly sports around. It offers:
Low pressure, non-contact play
Adaptable equipment for all ages
A balance of movement, focus, and fun
Easy progression at each child’s pace
At Jones Co. Tennis, our programs are built to make sure every child — no matter their experience or energy level — feels welcome and capable on court.
🏅 What to Expect in Their First Lesson
So, what actually happens in our lessons? Great question! Here’s what to expect when your child joins us:
Welcome and introduction from our qualified coaching staff
Warm-up games to get moving and comfortable
Fun drills using a range of equipment such as obstacle courses, modified nets & racquets and low-compression balls
Learning the basics – like how to hold a racquet, eye on the ball and footwork
Peer to Peer learning to build confidence and friendships
Music, energy, and a lot of encouragement
🎒 What Gear Does My Child Need?
All your child needs is:
Comfortable sportswear
Closed sports shoes
A water bottle
A hat for sun safety
We’ll provide all the racquets and balls so you don’t need to purchase anything to start out. If your child loves it (and most do!), we can guide you on the best beginner racquets to buy later.
💬 Will They Be Put Into a Group?
Yes! Group classes are a big part of the fun. Kids learn best when they’re active and social, so we keep class sizes small but lively. Our groups are based on age and experience so no one feels out of place.
Programs like Hot Shots Tennis are perfect for young beginners because they use colour-coded stages and modified courts to make learning easy and rewarding.
👋 How Do I Get Started?
We offer a trial class for all new students — so your child can try it out with no pressure. Whether you're based in Wollongong, Shellharbour, or anywhere in the Illawarra, there’s a class nearby waiting for them.
Students can join our programs at any point during the school term, there is no commitment to join for the full term as our classes are fully flexible.
Now’s the perfect time to book your free trial and let your child experience the magic of tennis for themselves. Spots fill quickly and bookings are essential.
👉 Head to our contact page and fill in your details and we will get back to you with some suggestions on the perfect class for your child.
Let’s get them moving, smiling, and learning something new — one bounce at a time.