Futures Tennis Academy

Welcome to Futures Tennis Academy

Australian Tennis Awards - Winner MLC Hot Shots The Australian Tennis Awards were held at the Crown Palladium Ballroom on Monday the 5th of Feb 2011.

Futures Tennis Academy was named the best academy in Australia for coaching kids under 12 years of age. Below, Director Of Futures Tennis, Wes Horskins receiving the award from former Australian Davis Cup Captain John Fitzgerald and Bec Hewitt, Peter Owens, Lleyton Hewitt and Wes Horskins celebrating.

Winner "TCAV Club Coach of the Year 2010"

Futures Tennis caters for tennis coaching in Melbourne including: *East Malvern, Malvern, Glen Iris, Ashburton, Ashburn, Chadstone, South Hawthorn *Murrumbeena, Carnegie, Glenhuntly *Elsternwick, Caulfield, Gardenvale, Ripponlea

Futures Tennis has always tried to be "more than the average" tennis academy. Director, Wes Horskins is a former ATP player who toured the world circuit for six years and played in Grand Slam tournaments such as the main draw of the Australian Open. He has been a Tennis Australia Club Coach Professional for twenty four years and also has a Diploma of Education. In 2008 East Malvern Tennis Club, our largest coaching venue, was ranked number one as the largest Community Based Tennis Club in the State. In 2010 Wes won the TCAV Club Coach of the Year award and was nominated as a finalist in both the National Awards for Tennis Australia Club Coach of the Year and the Hot Shots [Modified Tennis] Coach of the Year 2010. In 2011 Futures Tennis won the Australian Tennis Awards as the best academy in Australia for MLC Hot Shots [coaching for kids below the age of 12 years]. Wes is also the current representative for all Victorian and Tasmanian coaches on the National Coach Advisory Board and was on the TCAV board for eight years. He is a Tennis Australia Hot Shots Ambassador, one of only fifteen coaches selected Australia wide, to promote Hot Shots "Play Based Approach" coaching.

This success is due, in part, to our coaching and competition programs which are sequential, homogenised and modified for younger pupils so that all our programs comprehensively suit all ages & standards from raw beginners in our Hot Shots Red Ball Program right through to our Grand Slam Coaching program for tournament players.

Junior Coaching Programs

ENROL Now - Futures Tennis Junior Brochure 2012 click here

All Futures Tennis Academy coaches are qualified/certified by Tennis Australia

We offer juniors three programs: [1] Our starter Hot Shots Program for kids between 3-10 years. [2] Junior Squads for graduates of the Hot Shots program. [3] Futures Team Squads which is by invitation only for the most capable pupils.

All classes commence after school from 4pm week nights and Saturday mornings. We alsooffer private and semi private classes 7 days a week.

Hot Shots Group Coaching [3-10 yr old]

"Hot Shots is the only Junior Tennis Program endorsed by Tennis Australia"

Our Methodology

The International Tennis Federation have conducted exhaustive research into what and how is the best and fastest approach for kids from ages 3-10 to learn to play tennis and have recommended play based approach as world best practice. Futures Tennis Academy is one of only fifteen nation wide Hot Shots Ambassadors trained and endorsed by Tennis Australia to teach kids to serve, rally and score from virtually their first class. Teaching tennis for children of all ages, at last, has a clear pathway and a holistic approach for developing players as the balls and court sizes change as pupils become older/better.

Playing the Game

Click here M.L.C. Hot Shots "WORLD TOURS" video

Futures Tennis encourages kids of all ages and standards to also participate in competition whether that be in our: end of term Match Challenges, Holiday Grand Slam "Hot Shots" tournaments, playing for their club or our weekly Friday night "World Tour" fixtures, so that kids can practise the skills that they learn at coaching and to cement their love of the game. We realise and recognize the three "F's" of competition - Fair, Fear and Fun. Therefore we organise our comps in a non-threatening environment by modifying equipment, having similar standards pupils play each other and playing mulitple short matches against many different opponents. Lastly, we make sure at all time more emphasis is placed on fun and belonging than simply winning.

Learning the Game

Tennis is an open skill game as each shot is performed in an unpredictable and changing environment, which then dictates how and when a skill is to be performed. Tennis is a game played in pairs who rally the ball back and forward - first you receive the ball [reception] and then you send it back [projection]. The serve is the only closed skill shot in the game as you are totally responsible for the outcome of the shot. Therefore at a young age receiving skills [anticipation, perception, movement, decison making and foot work] are equally, if not more important, than sending skills [i.e. technique]. We sequentially teach tennis skills sets of which technique is just one of many skills sets to be learnt. Some of our coaching may look different to traditional coaching. Gone are the days where a coach artificially feeds, throws or drops balls from a stand still start to a pupils out stretched racquet. Our goal is to teach "real" skills that stay with pupils for life. We try to make kids understand the movement cycle. We practise activities so that pupils learn to work together in pairs correctly reading the flight of the ball [the speed, height, direction, spin] and how to move into a balanced hitting position, execute the shot and finally to recover ready for the next cycle to begin. These things form the fundamental building blocks to a rally.

Progressive Stages

In each stage of the program red, orange, green, yellow ball the court, balls and skills being taught become more challenging. The diagram descibes the different court sizes we use for each colour ball.

The Programs

The first stage of Hot Shots is our Launch Pad Program for 3-5 year olds. This program concentrates on fundamental motor skills, stroke recognition and development. By the end of the year pupils will be proficient at doing numerous FMS skills and be able to recognize all the majors strokes. They will also be able perform a basic forehand, backhand, forehand volley and smash combination. After Launch Pad pupils graduate to Red Ball Program. Red Ball 5-7 years is 1/4 court using 25% low compression balls.

Orange Ball Video 7-9 years is 3/4 court using 50% low compression balls.

Green Ball Program 9-10 years uses a full size court with 75% low compression balls.

All pupils from 11 year up use full size court and championship yellow balls.

Equipment / Mobile Pro Shop

We utilise the most advanced teaching aids: Dart Fish video analysis, Sam ball machines, jump fast ladders, stay ball stands, modified nets and four different types of low compression balls which makes the ball bounce lower, slower and softer [for safety] for four different levels of ability [Red, Orange, Green, Yellow ball]. Our Launch Pad "Fundamental Motor Skills" Program uses a wide variety of teaching aids to add excitement and engagement.

We cater for all aspects of your coaching including advice about a new racquet or restring and have a fully stocked mobile Pro Shop. See Pro Shop for more details or speak to your coach.

For more information refer to junior coaching programs or to see our coaching competencies for all levels of our Hot Shots [3-10yr old] program click here. All pupils/parents in our Hot Shots program receieve a Report Card assessing pupils development.

Our best players from each program are selected into our Futures Team Squads for Red, Orange and Green Ball whilst hundreds of other kids simply enjoy playing Hot Shots each night of the week. See our semester one 2011 pics below!

Monday Nights 4-4.45pm classes Tuesday Night 4-4.45pm classes

Wednesday Night 4-4.45pm classes Thursday Night 4-4.45pm classes

Junior Squads [11 and older]

Junior Squads offer a smaller ratio and longer lesson time and although available for all ages are usually offered to graduates from our Hot Shots Program [11 years and older]. The program has a greater emphasis on biomechancial aspects of the game. We have four levels of squads: Futures [11-12 years], Challenger [13-14 years], Pro [15-16years] and Grand Slam [17 years and above].

Through-out each stage in the program players can see the pathway [see Futures Coaching Pathways] they need to take for their future development and improvement. Our programs are constantly being modified to incorporate best practice.

Futures strongly recommends that pupils play in either/both internal or external competition, in conjunction with their coaching, as each program justifies and extends the other. Although coaching improves and develops tennis skills, matchplay is where kids get to test those skills under real conditions. To particpate in just one program is to do only half the job and, of course, by playing at least twice per week there is also more likelihood of improvement.

Futures Team Squads [Invitation Only - Advanced Program]

Our last stage of progression is in the Futures Team Squads which are invitation squads only. We invite the most capable kids from all age group to particpate in a team environment to develop skills with similar minded kids. Many of these pupils see tennis as their number one sport, or indeed, the number one priority in their lives. Futures team squad players must play on numerous occasions per week as they are trying to achieve their full potential. These players often play tournments and club fixture competition. Team squads go for at least an hour and players often have private lessons also. Team squads are coached exclusively by Wes [Director of Coaching] and Head Coach Ian Fuelscher. Our program includes using the latest coaching aids: Dartfish [video analysis software], Sam the ball machine, fast feet ladders etc.

Futures Team Developmental Squads [Tennis10s]

The best ten male and female pupils in each of Red, Orange and Green of our Hot Shots program are selected to play in our exclusive Futures Developmental Squads. These pupils make up the sixty best Hot Shot players in our academy. Classes go for one hour minimum and are taken by our Head Coaches. Players in these squads are selected to represent Futures in Chllange Matches and to play exhibition matches at the Aussie Open.

Futures Team Squads

The best ten males and females of each level of our Junior Squads Program [11 years and older] are selected into our Futures Team Squads. These squads may go for between one and one and half hours. Players in these squads are invited to play in our Boot Camps which are also invitiation only. Team squads are taken exclusively by Head Coaches.

Private Classes

Futures Tennis also offer private classes seven days a week to either supplement or extend pupils development.

Hot Shots TENNIS CLINICS 2012

We are the Holiday specialists!

Full and Half Day Intensive Tennis Clinics to download click here Registration Form. Refer to Holiday programs for more information. We offer clinics for all age groups from 4 to 14 years and conduct them virtually every week of the school holidays from Monday to Thursday for all standards. We have unlimited booking spaces.

Hot Shots "Grand Slam" Tournament Series 2012

Enter Now! AUSSIE OPEN Championships 2012

ENTER NOW in the Australian Open 2012 Red, Orange and Green ball players. Click here for entry form

At the same time of the year as the major four championships on the world circuit we conduct Junior Grand Slam Tournaments. All tournament are open to all players from 6-12 years. It is vital pupils experience match play so that they can test their skills that they learn in coaching classes. Our 8 & below tournaments are friendly team orientated events using the red 75% compression balls on a 1/4 modified court. Our 9 & over tournaments are a Round Robin using the orange 50% compression ball and a 3/4 modified court. There are prizes for all kids and all winners receive a trophy. See below kids receiving prizes!

Age Groups - Mixed Gender Tournaments Red, Orange and Green Ball events

All Tournaments are held at East Malvern Tennis Club. BOOK NOW!

Aussie Open - Friday 27st January 12-2pm riday 21st riday 21st January 1French Open - Friday 13th April 12-2pm Wimbledon Open - Friday 6th July 12-2pm USA Open - Friday 28th Sept 12-2pm Xmas End of Year Masters - Monday 24th December 10-12pm Enrol now for term 4

"WORLD TOURS" Weekly Competition

[Enrol now for term 4 2011]

Join Max Match Play at our Friday Night "World Tours" at East Malvern Club.

4-5.30pm Hot Shots Tour [Red, Orange, Green Ball] 5.30-7pm Futures & Challenger Tour 7-8.30pm Pro & Grand Slam Tour Based on the ATP World Tours as players improve they progress through to the next Tour from the Hot Shots Modified Tour to the Futures Tour, Challenger Tour, Pro Tour and finally to the Grand Slam Tour. [Many of our juniors play the Friday Night World Tour whilst also representing East Malvern Tennis Club on a Saturday/Sunday morning playing in one of their Waverly & District external comps. For more info refer to Junior Comp tab]

All Hot Shots Tour kids play with different low compression balls [25% Red Ball, 50% Orange Ball, 75% Green ball] with rules and court modification so that the younger pupils can have longer and easier rallies. All players are welcome to join!

For the latest results of our Friday Night Internal Comp held at East Malvern Tennis Club please click on Junior Competitions in the sub -menu. In the event of rain and the competition being postponed we send you a text message declaring the night a wash out.

. "Fun, Fitness, Friendship, Forever..."

MY TOUR BOOK - Kids Rewards Program

Meet below our Four Fabulous Futures Mascots: Tina Technique, Max Match Play, Freddy Fitness and Susie Strategy. Our Macots represent the four fundamental building blocks of our great game. Once you enrol each pupil will receive their own My Tour Book which tracks pupils progress and rewards improvement and dedication with five sensational Tour Trophy's and great pupil sponsorships which offer $100's of dollars in added value to our programs. The My Tour Book gives all kids encouragement to improve and incentive to play more. Click to see:

My Tour Book & Trophys My Tour Book Conditions and Sponsorships