ST. PAUL – A line of youths awaited, their rackets at the ready as their eyes focused on the other side of the net, where coach Owen Zarowny threw balls for them to hit. As they attacked the tennis balls with their rackets, the drill repeated, accompanied by laughter and cheers.
“We’re just getting kids excited to play tennis,” said Noah Shankowski, tennis instructor at the St. Paul Tennis Club, during the final day of the Youth Tennis camp, July 28.
“It’s a hard sport to pick up, so we’re just really trying to focus on the hand-eye coordination, getting some rallies going, and hoping that kids have fun,” he said. Eventually, Shankowski hopes they continue playing as adults. “It’s a sport that you can just play forever.”
This year's tennis camps ran from July 10 to 14, then from July 24 to 28. Around 25 youths of all ages participated, and despite the spontaneity of the weather, shifting from sunshine to rain, Shankowski was happy with the turnout.
He felt proud of the progress the youths had made, “even within a couple of days... [and] it just takes time and practice, and you’ll see the results pretty quick.” Most importantly, they’re having fun, he added.
The St. Paul Tennis Club will be running another tennis camp Aug. 14 to 18. Those interested can contact Shankowski at 587-252-3343.
Following the camp, the tennis club will also be hosting a tournament alongside the club from Lloydminster on Aug. 19 and 20.
On Aug. 19, “We’ll do a tournament here [in St. Paul] where hopefully kids from Lloydminster will come out.”
Then on the following day on Aug. 20, “We’ll head out to Lloydminster and go play some games over there with them.”
Shankowski also reminds tennis enthusiasts in the area that the club is still running Ladies’ Nights every Monday and Men’s Nights every Wednesday, along with occasional family nights.
