New Holland Junior Tennis Prepares For Third Season

Photo by Ann Mead Ash
Ready to serve up the next New Holland Junior Tennis program are participants (front, from left) Lillie Risser, Brady Burns, Elle Hallquist, and Brooke Hallquist and instructors (back) Kristen Hallquist, Sharon Merrit, Tina Weber, (not pictured) Mary Ann Linde, and Andrea Gamber. This year’s program will be held at the New Holland Community Park tennis courts on Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 22 to July 15, from 9 to 11 a.m.

By Ann Mead Ash

"We had 44 (youths) the first year, and 99 the second," said Kristin Hallquist, one of the founders of New Holland Junior Tennis, which is about to embark on its third year of offering tennis instruction to area children ages 5 to 14. This year, classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 22 to July 15, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the New Holland Community Park tennis courts on Jackson Street.

Hallquist founded the program with Mary Ann Linde in 2008. For two years, the organizers relied on grants from the United States Tennis Association to help keep fees low, but this year, Hallquist approached area businesses and nonprofit organizations to help with the program. "This year we're relying on the community, and they totally came through," said Hallquist, who noted that funds provided by a local concrete business, the New Holland Area Woman's Club, and a New Holland realtor will allow the organization to keep costs for parents the same as they (have been) for the past two years. "Our biggest goal was to keep the price the same," stated Hallquist.

New Holland Junior Tennis uses Quick Start, a special course of instruction for children under the age of 10. The program utilizes smaller nets, slower balls, and a smaller court size to help younger children become accustomed to the game. Those over age 10 will use the traditional balls and nets.

New Holland Junior Tennis boasts five instructors, including Hallquist and Linde. Sharon Merritt and Andrea Gamber, who have taught for New Holland Junior Tennis in the past, will both return for this year's program, and new instructor Tina Weber will join the group for the 2010 season. Weber served as the Solanco varsity girls tennis coach for two years and played the number three position for Philadelphia Bible University for two years.

A registration form for the class may be downloaded from www.newhollandjuniortennis.com. Registrations must be received by Monday, May 31. Questions may be addressed to Hallquist at 725-3766 or by e-mail to kristin.hallquist@comcast.net .

New Holland Penny Saver - 05/05/2010

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