The Penticton Tennis club saw a successful run of its first junior summer camps

Photo: Casey Richardson

The whole junior groups sets up for a socially distanced photo

The Penticton Tennis Club (PTC) held three week-long Junior Summer Camps this year and saw players as young as four stepping onto the court. 

These camps are for youth aged 4 to 16 years, and are focused on providing tennis training and skill development.

“They are improving daily, and the younger kids we just want to keep them interested in the game.” said Bob Grant, president of the PTC.  

This is the first year the junior program is under the PCT umbrella and all three weeks sold out, having ninety kids come out to play.

“It’s been a challenge with the COVID but we’ve pulled it off.” Grant said. “It was a bit of blessing in disguise if you will.” 

PTC focuses on insuring all kids are maintaining social distance and sanitizing themselves and equipment properly to keep safe. 

“We’re trying to do our best, but kids are kids, so you know you can only control so much.”

Next year they’ll be running the same program for three weeks. The club runs a junior program throughout the year as well, welcoming youth aged 3 to 14 years.

“We need kids who are going to take over from us old guys and be a part of this club down the road.”

An event is also scheduled this Friday for Discovery House, a facility open for men seeking recovery from addiction.

Zach Laycock, a professional tennis coach who joined the program, is helping run the event. 

“We have a great event for the city of Penticton to give back to the city of Penticton.” 

Volunteers and coaches will be teaching tennis to 12 members from the house on Friday night and is hoping residents will show up to support the players. 

“I just think the guys would really appreciate seeing everybody,” Laycock said, “We just need some good cheers and some good claps, some people out here would be great.”