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NEWS - QUEENSLAND NEWS 2008 - PART I
| Queensland - Published on July 31‚ 2008 |
 FROM STEPHEN MURPHY
There have been two big highlights for Kids Tennis Foundation in Queensland so far this year - the launching of two new programs by two new KTF coaches.
One program started in April under coach Paul Ladewig. This is at Murphy’s Creek State School, not far from Toowoomba on the Darling Downs. All reports from Paul and school principal Jo Sinclair-Jones are that the kids are enjoying their first taste of tennis. It was a pleasure for me to join Paul on the court for one lesson at the start of the program. We might even have discovered a future star. When a child is using near perfect forehand technique in lesson 1, it’s pretty exciting!
The second new program this year is starting at Kippa-Ring State School on the northern outskirts of Brisbane. Kippa-Ring is returning to the KTF fold, this time under coach Wendy Greer.
Thank you so much to Paul and Wendy for stepping forward to join the KTF coaching team in Queensland. I hope they can stay part of KTF for many years.
Other programs have been continuing at Gayndah State School near Bundaberg, under coach Kevin Banner, and in Brisbane through coaches Sandra Field, Genevieve Knight and Scott Morgan from the Fancutts Junior Tennis Club. They have been making it possible for kids at Windsor State School and Wooloowin State School to experience our sport.
They provide an excellent service for these schools delivering lessons that further the students’ technique and skills. Wooloowin students (pictured) look forward to their weekly lessons because everyone is kept active and focused at all times. Students also experience a variety of games and activities tailored to their specific needs.
A number of programs at other schools will re-commence in Term 3, when the very hot conditions of summer in tropical Queensland have eased.
As outlined in the last news post, there are plans to expand KTF programs into other centres. Queensland is a big state, and there is room for much more activity. One centre I hope to visit later this year is Rockhampton, where coach Bevan Mullholand has been a KTF coach for many years.
This year there have been new directives from our state government child protection agency – the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian. I am spending a significant amount of time ensuring that Kids Tennis Foundation fully meets all its obligations.
Thanks once again to Susie and Kate in Melbourne for all their support and to all who are helping achieve KTF’s goals in Queensland. |
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