Warrnambool to host Tennis Australia junior girls development camp

Tennis Australia has picked Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club to host the opening Females in Tennis Development Camp on Sunday, December 20.

It is one of four across Victoria and among 25 nationally after the top body opted to use part of a $12 million federal government grant to run the sessions.

Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club president Kim Tobin said she was thrilled south-west based players would benefit from the initiative.

The session, which will run from 10am to 5pm, is free and caters from players aged between nine and 14.

Tobin said those younger or older could also apply but spots are limited.

"It is a great opportunity for our club to shine and to offer the opportunity to girls in this area," she said.

"It probably extends in a radius of two hours from us really as far as where girls could come from to go to the camps."

The camps will focus on on-court and off-court aspects with a special parents session focusing on training schedules and pathways.

"Often that is the hardest thing, to get the information on 'what do I have to do to help my child progress in the sport?'," Tobin said.

Beachside Tennis Academy coach Helen Papaevagelou, who works out of the Lake Pertobe complex, said she was rapt to see a program tailored to young female players being rolled out in Warrnambool.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for them to be a part of and for me too," she said.

"I am super excited that we have something extra for girls."

Papaevagelou, who has coached in Australia and overseas, said she had noticed a rise in female participation since arriving in Warrnambool six years ago.

"We have seen quite an influx of girls in tennis over the last few years," she said.

"We have a lot of younger girls coming through which has been really positive.

"We have had such an influx in just pre-school kids and there's a lot of girls in that as well."

Players interested in the Females in Tennis Development Camp can register their interest online here: https://texaus.wufoo.com/forms/females-in-tennis-camp-warrnambool-vic/

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