TENNIS: SW juniors making it real

Junior tennis players are testing their skills in a game-like environment at the Bunbury Tennis Club on Friday afternoons with a tournament each week.

Run by South West Tennis coach Andrew Woodward, the tournament uses modified equipment and rules to encourage "real tennis" matches and game styles.

Woodward said more than 80 children attended the first tournament on Friday night, but there was still room for more.

"The idea is to get more junior players to play real tennis," he said.

"We use modified equipment and smaller courts for the younger kids.

"This allows children from age seven and above to play a rally and keep score. With the modified equipment, it is amazing how long the kids can rally for."

Woodward said he would welcome more children into the program.

"We have lots of talented country kids," he said.

The club also offers daily coaching for anyone older than four and has 27 grass courts maintained by volunteer labour as well as six hard courts, all fully lit for night play.

Once the juniors have reached a certain level of play they are allowed to play with the senior club on Saturday afternoons.