March marks the return of a program that debuted last spring at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona as, once again, spring break camps will be offered to local youth tennis players who are off from school.
The camps will be held March 17-19, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., during the Orange County Public Schools’ spring break. They are designed to mimic the popular USTA National Campus Summer Camp.
There are three camp options available, based upon age and skill level:
The Family Zone Spring Break Camp, similar to typical Red Ball and Orange Ball programming, is for children ages 5-10 and will include instruction from National Campus staff as well as play-based activity, all with an emphasis on tennis “FUNdamentals.” Players will be grouped by age and ability level within the camp.
The Youth Development Spring Break Camp is open to middle school- and high school-aged players at the beginner through intermediate skill levels. Players, who will be placed in groups of similar level and age, will be introduced to the fundamentals of the game through a rally and game-based curriculum. Their practices will include a dynamic warm up, drills with instruction, and match play.
The High Performance Spring Break Camp, the most advanced camp, is offered to players who participate in regular National Campus High Performance programming. Players will be placed in groups at a similar level, and their practices will include a dynamic warm up, drills with instruction, and match play.
The start of the month will also mark an important transition in National Campus programming as Simon Gale takes over as the new USTA National Campus’ director of tennis. At the end of February, he formally replaced the retiring Kathy Woods, who had held the role since the campus opened.
In his new role, Gale will direct all instructional and tennis programming at the National Campus. He will oversee a teaching staff of approximately 40 USPTA-certified professionals, ensuring the teaching experience at the campus is at the highest standard of excellence. Additionally, he will develop programs to engage pros both locally and nationally, using the campus as a hub of collaboration and innovation. Gale will also provide training and development opportunities for young teaching professionals at the National Campus.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the team helping to shape the future of tennis, and it’s incredibly motivating to work at this one-of-a-kind facility,” said Gale. “In my new role, I hope to make an impact on the growth of the sport by creating a culture where providing the best experiences and cultivating a true connection to the sport is part of our DNA. We will do this by delivering the highest quality of tennis instruction and innovative programming. I’ve been collaborating with the USTA for more than 10 years in the coach education and youth tennis space, and it’s truly an honor to be able to continue the path we started a decade ago, working with the industry-leading team at the USTA National Campus.”
Currently, the National Campus offers more than 30 different programs with more than 120 program sessions per week. To date, these programs average more than 1,200 participants.
For more information on the Spring Break Camps and all USTA National Campus programming, please visit reserve.ustanationalcampus.com.
