New junior academy launched at Union Club

A new tennis academy has been set up by one of Malta's most qualified coaches, Ian Smith.

The Ian Smith Tennis Academy is based on the principle that the country should produce more young players who need to learn the basic skills of the game from an early age.

Beginners will be introduced to the game through 45-minute training sessions which will be staged on small courts.

Training will cover co-ordination and movement as well as technical and tactical skills. Groups will be kept to a reasonable size to ensure individual attention.

There will be three levels, so that beginners will progress gradually from one category to another.

The academy will use one of the two courts at the Union Club in Sliema. An indoor area is also available in case of bad weather.

The sessions will be held after school hours and on weekends while special activities are planned for the school holidays.

"It is really important to build up good coordination as once this is learned properly, it is a skill you will keep forever. And the opposite holds true: If you don't learn it early, you very often never pick it up," Smith said in a statement.

Smith has been coaching tennis for 23 years, having spent time as national coach for Egypt and Malta. He is certified by various US and Spanish bodies at Level 3 coaching, the highest available.

One may obtain more details by phoning 7900-2923 or by sending an email to tennisprofessional@hotmail.co.uk.