Ace the Competition this Summer
Outdoor tennis season is fast approaching and come July, courts around the city will be filled with recreational and competitive players alike. If you want to play better tennis this summer, spend some time working on your game indoors this spring. The Sudbury Indoor Tennis Centre (30 Cypress St) is a full service tennis facility that is conveniently located in downtown Sudbury.
Building a Tennis Bubble in Sudbury
The tennis centre was established in 1992 by a small planning committee that met at Lockerby Secondary School and arranged to have a tennis bubble built in Sudbury. Since then, local tennis enthusiasts have been instrumental in supporting the club-known simply as the bubble by its regulars.
The bubble has four indoor regulation size courts, locker rooms with showers and a lounge area. It also offers equipment sales, racket regripping and stringing. In the summer, there is an outdoor court that the public can use free of charge during business hours.
Court Rates
$28 an hour for members
$46 an hour for non-members
* $9 guest fee if playing with a member
Adult Programs
Paul Robert is a certified tennis instructor through Tennis Canada and has been teaching at the bubble for the past 20 years. Robert recommends that anyone who is new to the sport should consider trying the weekly programs at the bubble.
“I run adult programs on Monday and Wednesday nights and those are great for beginner players or even players who haven’t played in a long time,” said Robert. “It’s a great way to learn or refine skills while meeting other players who are at a similar level.”
Robert explained that the programs consist of a mix of instruction and playing time.
“We’ll always start with a lesson on the fundamentals such as serving or working on the forehand and backhand,” said Robert. “About half-way through the session we’ll play either singles or doubles matches so that everyone can get a chance to practice their skills in a real game.”
The bubble also runs a novice/beginner league on Friday nights from 7:30-9:00pm that is similar to the programs on Monday and Wednesday except there is more of a focus on playing games and less instruction.
Junior Programs
The bubble also has a number of programs for junior players including a special program for advanced players who are 13-18 years of age called Topgun.
“The Topgun program is for players who have already been playing for some time and right now I have 22 players enrolled in that,” said Robert. “Some of them are very good and they’re hoping to get a college or university scholarship to play tennis.”
One of these players is 17-year-old Darren DePaolis, who is in his final year of high school at Lasalle Secondary School and is hoping to get a tennis scholarship for next year.
“We’re just starting the filming process to get some good footage of me playing so I can send it to schools that I’m interested in,” said DePaolis.
DePaolis explains that working with Robert has really helped his game and he’s seen a big difference in his play over the course of the four years that they’ve been working together.
“Paul’s helped me with every area of my game and I’m now beating guys who are two years older than me so I’ve definitely seen a big improvement in my game.”
League Play
Robert has noticed that a lot of players that began in the adult programs now play in the various leagues that the bubble offers. If you’re an experienced player or are simply looking to play more, the bubble has the following leagues.
Monday:
Mixed League (8:00-10:00pm) $14 for members $23 for non-members
Tuesday:
Ladies (6:00-7:30pm) $10.50 for members $19.50 for non-members
Men’s (8:00-10:00pm $14 for members $23 for non-members
Thursday:
Mixed (8:00-10:00pm) $14 for members $23 for non-members
Friday:
Beginner League (7:30-9:00pm) $12
Sunday:
Men’s (9:00-11:00am) $14 for members $23 for non-members
Whether you’re an experienced player or are brand new to the sport, the Sudbury Indoor Tennis Centre can help you get better. For more information on all of the programs that the bubble offers, visit www.sudburytennis.ca or call 705-688-1414
Phil Howard
Phil Howard is a Business Communications graduate, avid sports fan and outdoor enthusiast. The New England Patriots are his favourite team and in the summer, he can be found on the baseball field at Terry Fox.
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