Tiny tennis shoes hit the court today for the first meeting of a tennis camp for kids.
The camp includes eight hour-and-a-half-long classes. It costs $135, which includes a racket, T-shirt and a QuickStart foam practice ball. The camp, which happens at the coach's home in Wine Country, accepts students 12 years and younger. Registration is open until Jan. 25.
Upbeat music wafted over the tennis court as a group of children ran through a colorful foot course during a kids’ clinic Saturday.
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"The foot course really helps with good foot work, which is a critical skill to the game," said Heidi Betts, the coach.
“My son, Dustin, loves coming out here to play. Heidi is great with the kids,” said parent Tom Bowen.
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Another parent, Katrinka Blunt, added, “It’s great. Heidi works on hand-eye coordination and tailors her lessons for the kids. They love the music too.”
The occasional red-tailed hawk circled above the court as Betts told the kids to practice their serves and swings.
“That’s right, Teleya. Great follow through,” encouraged Betts.
Betts founded Temecula Team Tennis in 2005 and touts herself as a true ambassador for the sport she loves.
Betts was a children’s pastor for several years and has been involved in teaching in numerous ways. “Teaching tennis has been a passion for the last few years. I see myself as a tennis advocate,” she said.
Several years ago, she built the court she uses for the clinics and camps on her Wine Country property. The court was her husband’s idea, she said. “My husband built it so I would be at home more.”
The Bettses are contractors who specialize in school projects, so they built it themselves. “We poured the first part, then poured the slab when we had a break between jobs and let it cure for 6 months. During another break between jobs, we had the surface done and we played on it the first time on Christmas day with the whole family. Totally fun,” she said with a smile.
Temecula Team Tennis became a non-profit organization in 2009. In addition to promoting tennis, Betts also trains tennis players for the Special Olympics.
"I just love tennis. I play almost every day and never get sick of it. Tennis is such a fun sport," she said.
The coach also has plans to hold a Spring Tennis Camp for kids starting in April. In addition to the camps, she holds a kids' tennis clinic every Saturday morning for those who already have the basics down.
To visit the coach's website, click here.
