2025-2026 JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Tennis is the sport of a lifetime, with many benefits for younger players. STC offers a comprehensive program for developing junior players, starting at age 5 through high school. Players move through different levels in our program, gaining the skills they need to play tennis right from the beginning. We offer weekly practices, small group lessons, private instruction and organized Match Play and tournaments to help developing players become successful on and off the court. Our goal is to have junior players fall in love with the game!
School Year Program
Our program uses an integrated approach to help players get on the court playing tennis from the beginning. We offer once a week classes and FREE Match Days to get players out on the courts learning to play the game. Each session concludes with a WORLD TOUR tournament where players earn points for their team and compete in their first tournament. These events are based on the 4 major tournaments in tennis.
Our program has 6 sessions. There are 2 sessions each in the fall, spring and summer. We offer special camps during Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break and during the summer. The Fall 2025 session starts the week of August 11.
For membership information, please click here. Players must be members of STC to enroll in our programs. Membership is FREE.
To sign up for our current session, please click here.
Our Coaching Philosophy
STC follows the European Coaching Model, which emphasizes progressive skill development at each age. Players are placed in groups and taught using modified courts, equipment and balls to insure they gain the skills they need to play right from the beginning. The program uses the same principles throughout Europe to develop junior players. This program is used at John McEnroe’s Academy and other programs throughout the world. We focus on getting kids to play right from the beginning. Players are taught how to play points and games. Skills focus on controlling and directing the ball to help win points. Players progress through 4 levels at each age, develop age appropriate skills as they learn to love tennis!
Coaches work on developing the athletic skills, court movement, and basic tennis technique to help in match play at each level. Each level builds on the previous one, maximizing the potential of each player. Player advancement is based on moving up within each age group. We do not believe in moving players until they have mastered the skills required to move up. Without the right skills, players will not develop to their full potential.
We are the only facility in the area that is equipped to teach the European Model. Our courts are lined with 36 foot and 60 foot courts so players can compete in the best space for their development. We host Match Days and tournaments for every level, so that players are learning the skills they need in the right space. Moving up too soon can result in incorrect grips and poor footwork patterns, which are difficult to correct.
Our Coaches
Our coaches are not just excellent players. While all of them played college tennis, we recognize that being an excellent player is just the start. Each of our staff members has completed extensive training programs in the European Coaching Model, junior development and are certified by the PTR, an international professional teaching organization. Coaches continue their training by attending additional workshops twice a year. In addition, each coach has been Safe Play certified in accordance with USTA and USOC guidelines for safe coaching.
MOVING UP THROUGH LEVELS
There are 4 levels in each age group. Players move up levels based on skill evaluations at the end of each session. Players may spend multiple sessions in one level as they gain skills. The higher the level, the more time it will take to move up. We believe players should master their level before moving up!
Level 1 is for players who have not taken tennis lessons before or who are just starting to play. Players will be introduced to basic tennis skills in a smaller learning environment to accelerate their progress. The class is limited to 6 players per coach. Practices meet one day a week for 1 hour. Players must test out of this level to move up.
Level 2 is for players who have tested out of Level 1. Players will be introduced to more advanced skills and beginning match play. Practices meet one day a week for 1 hour. Players will be encouraged to start small group instruction in addition to classes. Players will be eligible for Match Days/Team Tennis and small group instruction. Players must test out of this level to move up.
Level 3 (Pre-Tournament) is for players who have tested out of Level 2. Players will be introduced to the skills they will need to start competitive play. Practices meet one day a week for 1.5 hours. Players should be attending small group instruction at this level. Players will be eligible for Match Days/Team Tennis and small group instruction. Players must attend at least 1/2 of the Match Days. Players must test out of this level to move up.
Level 4 (Tournament) is for players who have tested out of Level 3. Players will be introduced to advancing playing skills, and will spend more class time on competitive development. Practices meet once a week for 1.5 hours and attend small group instruction or a second day of class. Players at this level are required to attend instruction for 2 days a week, and play in a tennis tournament once a month. Players will be placed in their next level based on age/ability.
