FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

The most suitable program will depend on the player’s age, previous experience, current playing level and goals. Our Hot Shots pathway is designed for younger players progressing through modified ball and court stages, while Teenage Tennis, Talent Development and Performance programs cater for older or more experienced juniors. If you are unsure, submit an enquiry with the player’s age and experience, and our team will recommend the most appropriate starting point.

Yes. Futures Tennis Academy offers beginner programs for children, teenagers and adults. Players are placed into an appropriate class based on their age and experience, and their coach will assess whether the class remains suitable once coaching begins.

Trial lessons are available for selected group programs, subject to class availability. Please submit an enquiry before booking so our team can recommend a suitable class and confirm whether a trial place is available.

Yes, provided there is a suitable place available. Fees will be calculated on a pro-rata basis from the player's commencement date, so they will only be charged for the remaining sessions in the term or semester.

Futures Tennis Academy conducts programs across its main club venues and school-partner locations throughout Melbourne. Our main club venues include East Malvern Tennis Club, Ardrie Park Tennis Club and East Burwood Tennis Club. Please view the Venues page or the relevant program booking page for location details.

Select the relevant program on our website and use the Book Now button to view available classes and complete your booking. If you are unsure which program to select, contact the office before booking.

Yes. Unless you notify the Futures Tennis Academy office otherwise, regular class enrolments automatically continue from one term to the next. This allows players to retain their established class place.

Class changes must be requested through the Futures Tennis Academy office. We will make every effort to find a suitable alternative, but another class at the preferred day, time, venue or level cannot be guaranteed.

Selected group programs offer discounted semester bookings, while permanent private lessons offer a discounted rate for securing a regular time for the full term. Current prices and available discounts are displayed on the relevant program or booking page.

Bring a racquet if the player already owns one. Hot Shots programs use modified equipment, low-compression balls and age-appropriate court sizes. Please contact the office before the first lesson if the player does not have a racquet so we can advise what is available for their program and venue.

Junior racquet sizing depends primarily on the player’s height, age and physical development. Before buying a new racquet, ask the player's coach to check the current racquet and recommend an appropriate size.

Yes. Futures Tennis Academy can assist with selecting a suitable HEAD racquet and may arrange for it to be delivered to the player's lesson. Speak with the coach or office before purchasing so the correct size and model can be recommended.

Players should bring a racquet where available, a filled water bottle and suitable clothing and footwear for physical activity. For outdoor sessions, participants should also bring a hat and apply sunscreen before arriving.

The player's absence must be submitted through the customer portal at least three hours before the class starts. Eligible players will receive a make-up. Absences submitted late or after the class has started are not eligible for a make-up.

Log in to the Futures Tennis Academy customer portal and submit the absence against the relevant booking. The absence must be recorded through the portal at least three hours before the scheduled start time.

Access the customer portal through the ThinkSmart Portal app or the Customer Portal button on the Futures Tennis Academy website. Eligible make-ups will generally appear within 24 hours. Select an available class that is appropriate for the player's level and complete the booking through the portal. The office cannot book make-up lessons on a participant’s behalf.

Please allow up to 24 hours after the missed or cancelled class for an eligible make-up to appear. Make sure you are using the same email address provided when the original booking was made. For portal login assistance, contact the office on 0400 737 707.

Make-up lessons must be booked and completed within 10 weeks of the original missed or cancelled class. The 10-week period continues during school holiday periods, and all bookings remain subject to class availability.

If Futures Tennis Academy cancels a class because of rain, unsafe court conditions or a temperature of 37°C or above, players will receive a text message as soon as the decision has been made. If you do not receive a cancellation message, assume that the class will proceed. Eligible make-up credits will be added to the customer portal following a cancellation.

Classes may proceed in light drizzle, wind, cold or warm conditions. A session will only be cancelled when Futures Tennis Academy determines that the weather or court conditions present an unacceptable safety risk. Coaches may adjust the intensity or activities to suit the conditions.

Where suitable indoor facilities are available, the coach may continue with an indoor theory-based or modified lesson. If a washout is declared, the remaining affected sessions will be cancelled and eligible make-ups will be issued.

Coaches assess players throughout their program. Progression is based on technical development, rallying ability, match skills, maturity and readiness for the next playing environment, rather than age alone. Formal progression is generally reviewed at the end of each semester.

Speak with the coach about on-court development, class suitability and areas for improvement. Requests for a different coach or other formal feedback should be emailed to the Futures Tennis Academy office.

Yes. Competition allows players to apply their skills in real matches and is an important part of development. Futures Tennis Academy offers internal match-play opportunities and pathways into official weekend junior competition.

Friday Night Internal Competition provides a familiar entry point into organised match play within the Futures Tennis Academy environment. Weekend junior competition involves representing a club and playing against teams from other clubs through an organised association competition.

Ask the participant’s coach. The coach will consider whether the player can serve, rally, score and participate independently enough for the relevant competition format.

Club membership and a separate competition registration may be required for official weekend competition. Requirements depend on the club and competition entered and will be explained on the relevant registration page.

The absence must be submitted through the customer portal at least 10 hours before the scheduled start time. When the required notice is provided, an eligible make-up will be issued. If less than 10 hours’ notice is provided, the lesson is forfeited and the full fee remains payable.

Eligible private-lesson make-ups must be booked and completed within 10 weeks of the missed lesson, including during school holiday periods. All replacement lessons are subject to coach and court availability.

Yes. If you cannot attend, you may arrange for a family member or friend of a suitable playing level to use the scheduled lesson instead. Please advise the coach or office of the change where possible.

If Futures Tennis Academy cancels the lesson because of rain, unsafe court conditions or extreme heat, a make-up will be added to the player's customer portal.

Futures Tennis Academy coaches hold valid Working with Children Checks, First Aid-certificates and Tennis Australia-accreditation. Coaches also participate in ongoing mentoring and professional development.

Important notices are generally sent to the mobile number or email address recorded on the player's account. Families should ensure their contact details remain current and should check messages before travelling when weather conditions are uncertain.

Contact the office or speak with the coach as soon as possible and provide a description of the item and the venue where it was left. Lost-property arrangements vary between venues, and Futures Tennis Academy cannot guarantee that an item will be located.