The Gazette-Enterprise

Seguin High School coaches will be introducing students to the world of tennis.

For the third year, head tennis coach, Jimmy LaLonde is sending out an open invitation for all students in the district from mid-elementary through junior high students to attend free lessons at the high school tennis courts.

“I would like to introduce an opportunity to all Seguin ISD students in grades third through eighth,” he said. “The purpose of the lessons is to introduce, promote, and develop skills of the game to any interested SISD students. It is a great lifetime sport that they can play this all their life.”

Since it is open to younger children, LaLonde said he

“With these younger guys my goal is to make it as fun as possible, and try to capture their fun button so maybe it will stick with them and they want to continue to keep playing,” he said. “Also it may help to build some interest. I am a hopeful that this will get more kids to want to play down the road.”

During the sessions the kids will work on the basics, LaLonde said.

“The drills will focus on the fundamentals of the game — forehand, backhand, volleys, overheads,” he said. “Like here on the high school level I focus on technique but with these guys it’s going to be about hit the ball, hit it over the net, instant success and maybe fill that interest.”

All lessons will be taught by LaLonde and assistant coach Dustin Wyatt along with the middle school coaches, when they are available and a few National Honor Society friends.

“I’ve got some of my high school players that needed NHS hours, so they come and help me feed tennis balls or just help out where they are needed,” he said.

Previous sessions have been successful, LaLonde said.

“In the fall we had a course of nine sessions and a total of 150 kids,” he said. “They seem to enjoy.”

Parents are also responsible for transportation of their children to and from the courts, LaLonde said.

The lessons will be canceled in the case of bad weather or no arrivals or if the weather is questionable, the coach suggests parents swing by and check with the instructors.

To join the classes a one-time consent form needs to be filled out and turned in before the first lesson, LaLonde said.

“We sent some home but we will also have some here if they need them,” he said. “I hope to see as many kids as possible.”

For more information contact Jimmy LaLonde at 830-372-5770 x 20717 or jlalonde(at)seguin.k12.tx.us .

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