Tennis complex hosts great tennis camp

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Since the Van Wert County Foundation Tennis Complex opened nearly five years ago, the sport has undergone a renaissance in the city, capped this year by Van Wert High School’s first Western Buckeye League championship in nearly 50 years.

Wayne Kilton, one of several people who promoted development of the current tennis complex as a replacement for the city’s aging and inadequate tennis courts, said the community exceeded expectations in providing the funds for the new complex.

“The community really came forth, whether it be businesses or individuals,” Kilton said. “They were so generous … everyone was totally amazed at how (fundraising efforts) turned out.”

Those efforts eventually led to the construction of probably the best tennis facility in the area, he added.

“We used to be the worst and now we’re the best,” Kilton said, noting that he has traveled to all the WBL facilities, as well as others in the area, and none can compare with the local complex.

But having an excellent tennis facility makes it even more imperative to provide tennis education programs for city youngsters, he said.

Summer tennis camps, now in their fifth year, have brought a large number of city youngsters in contact with a sport loved by Kilton and a number of other city players who have helped educate young people in the finer points of tennis.

Kilton said an upcoming tennis camp, set for the week of July 11-15, continues education system that has only gotten better each year.

And that’s saying a lot, since last year’s Futures program (grades 6-8) was said to be the best such program in Ohio, Kilton said.

“Last year, we had more kids (approximately 100) in grades 6-8 than anyone in the state,” he noted, adding that the Futures program has been a “feeder system” for the high school teams, which have shown steady improvement over the past several years, culminating in the boys’ WBL title this year.

Like previous years, Kilton said the emphasis remains on providing area youngsters with a quality tennis experience, adding that the program now in place uses United States Tennis Association training material and provides youngsters at three different levels (grades K-3, 4-5, and 6-8) with age-appropriate skill training and equipment.

During the camp, each age division will have an hour-long training session each of the five days. Kids in grades K-3 will play from 6-7 p.m., kids in grades 4-5 will play from 7-8 p.m., and kids in the Futures program (grades 6-8) will play from 8-9 p.m. Each session is divided into 15-20-minute skill sessions.

Cost of the camp is $55, but also includes a team uniform and an age-appropriate tennis racket. Younger kids use larger tennis balls to help them develop hand-eye coordination, but regulation-size balls are used for the Futures program.

The camp is organized in a team format, with members of the champion Cougar boys’ tennis team serving as coaches for each team. Registration deadline is Friday, June 17. While those wanting to attend can register after that date, the cost increases to $75 per person.

Kilton said the upcoming tennis camp is an excellent way for youngsters to learn a game they can literally play their entire lives.