Junior Tennis

We have junior programs for ages 6 - 18 years old, from scratch beginners to internationally ranked players.

The program is split into three ‘streams’:

  • “Try-it” for players just learning the game.

  • “Play-it” for players with more skill and experience.

  • Competitive for players aspiring to play at varsity high school levels and beyond 

For all our 10 years and under players, we use the International Tennis Federation endorsed Red/Orange/Green system of modified courts and balls scaled for the size and abilities of children. Click on this fact sheet to learn about the approach and its advantages to your child’s development.

View Junior Programs

  • The SJTC junior pathway is designed by Tennis Director & USTA Coaching Professional, Jordan Zimmerman. Each stream and program is targeted to specific ages and levels of players and their unique stages of development.

  • SJTC uses the ROG (Red/Orange/Green) system of scaled ball and courts designed for the size and age of the child (Like ‘T-ball’ and mini-soccer). This system is used internationally by all the top tennis nations. All programs have a 1-court/1-coach/6 player ratio.

    Our recreational programs have 2 separate ‘streams’:

    ‘TRY-IT’ STREAM:  Designed for players with little or no experience to learn how to serve, rally and score. These are introduction to tennis programs that are scheduled once per week and run for one season (Fall/Winter/Spring).

    • Red Try-it (6-7 yrs)

    • Orange Try-it (8-9 yrs)

    • Green Try-it (10-11 yrs)

    • Teen Try-it (12-16 yrs)

    ‘PLAY-IT’ STREAM: Designed for players with tennis experience who can already serve, rally & score. The program develops foundational skills to play successful tennis for life. The program is scheduled like other sports with a 2 practices a week (after school week-days) and a ‘game-day’ (weekend).   

    These programs require an official SJTC Player Level Assessment to be eligible for registration. 

    • Red Play-it (6-7 yrs)

    • Orange Play-it (8-9 yrs)

    • Green  Play-it (10-11 yrs)

    • Teen Play-it (12-16 yrs)

    View programs

    Please click this link to receive a Junior programs brochure which outlines the entire Junior Pathway and includes the current dates and times.

    Level Advancement

    Upon mastering certain skills, players will be informed by coaching staff when they are ready to graduate to the next program. Players may request to participate in free scheduled assessment times to confirm their level. We reserve the right to withdraw any player from a program if coaching staff believe they are not at the appropriate level.

  • The Competitive stream is for players who have higher skills. It is built on a schedule similar to other sports (2 practice sessions an week and a weekend Coach-organized play session). This program equips players to play varsity High School tennis and compete in USTA tournaments. There are a number of levels within the stream players can progress to.

    View programs

    Please click this link to receive a Junior programs brochure which outlines the entire Junior Pathway and includes the current dates and times.

    Players may only register for the Competitive programs if they have been approved by coaching staff through an assessment process. For Competitive program registration, please contact the Club directly at 712-310-2220.

  • If you can't attend your registered program or class, please cancel as early as possible.

    Refund policy for programs shorter than 12 weeks:

    • Withdrawals can be made either by phone (712-310-2220) or online

    • For a full refund, withdrawals must be made more than 7 days before the first day of the program

    • Withdrawals made 7 days or less prior to the first session will be will be refunded the price of the program minus one session

    • No refund is available for programs after the start of the second class.

    • The day the program starts is not included in the more than seven days’ required notice.

    • Please contact us if withdrawing due to injury.

    • For Junior Competitive and Tournament programs withdrawals we require one week written notice of withdrawal (email will suffice).

  • We have very limited availability for private and semi-private tennis lessons. Please check our registration website for availability. Lessons can only be booked 7 days in advance.