Introducing Michele Whitmore

We are delighted to welcome our new Junior Program Coordinator, Michele Whitmore. Read below to get to know our latest hire as she introduces herself to our membership:

Hello to the Stowe Tennis Club Community:

I am absolutely delighted to join this community as the Junior Tennis Program Coordinator for Summer 2024. I have had the pleasure of playing on the STC courts a few times with my good friend Charlie and to now have the opportunity to spend more time here, coordinating the junior tennis program, supporting our program’s coaches, and promoting this amazing sport to our program participants, makes me smile and anxious for summer to arrive.

A little about me. For 29 years, I was a higher education administrator at the Johnson campus (Johnson State College, Northern Vermont University, and now Vermont State University). For 12 of those years, I was Head Coach of the women’s tennis team and also during that timeframe, coached four seasons of the men’s team. Coaching was not part of my plan. I never coached tennis or played competitive tennis growing up; I just loved to play recreationally and watched A LOT of tennis on tv (still do…); however, the team needed a coach and I agreed to help out the tennis program for one season…and that was all it took. Coaching was such a positive and impactful experience for me and that experience gave me an even greater love and appreciation for the sport. I played competitively through the USTA for several years in the 4.0 division, mainly playing the 1 or 2 spot in singles and the 2 or 3 spot in doubles.

With the help of the coaching staff, my goal is to create an engaging and fun tennis program for all of our participants with solid on-court instruction; opportunities to improve strategy and tactics; to appreciate the importance of good sportsmanship and to hopefully further increase the love of and respect for the game of tennis.

I am grateful to have this opportunity, to spend more time on the courts, supporting a sport I love, and getting to know the STC community.

Tennis high-five,

- Michele

Core Tennis Program (CTP):

Formerly referred to as the Junior Program, the Core Tennis Program begins on Monday, June 17th and ends on Friday, August 9th. This is an 8 week Monday through Friday program, starting at 1:00pm and ending at 4:00pm. Daily activities include structured tennis instruction from 1:00-3:00pm, followed by supervised open recreation and open swim with a lifeguard on duty from 3:00-4:00pm. Match play either inter- or intra-club is scheduled each Friday. Parents are responsible for transportation to and from away matches. An STC coach will be present on-site for all matches.

• There will be no programming held on Thursday, July 4th. 
  
• The Junior Championships are held during the final two weeks of the program, consisting of one week of the Singles Tournament followed by one week of the Doubles Tournament. Players who wish to participate must attend the full week for each tournament. 
• The Prize Day and Awards Party will be held on Friday, August 9th. All program participants and their families are welcome to join us for this final day of the program.

The Age Requirement is 8 to 14: Participants must be 8 years old by June 17th to join in the CTP. However, if the participant turns 8 prior to the end of summer (September 22), and they have previously participated in the Future Stars program, then an exception to the above is allowed. Participants who are 7 years old during the program must be able to swim competently in order to use the pool.

Pricing Options: We offer two pricing options for either an 8-week (full) or a 4-week (half) program. Weeks of participation do not need to be consecutive. Participants can select which weeks of the program they plan to attend during registration. We encourage participants to attend a minimum of 3 weeks of the program. Notify the program coordinator if your schedule changes or if the participant will be absent during any scheduled days. 

Junior & Family Round Robin: All of our Core Program participants (members and non-members alike) are encouraged to choose a doubles partner from their family and join us for this fun friendly event. The event will be held on Saturday, July 27th with Sunday, July 28th as a rain date.

 Sign up for the Junior & Family Round Robin

Philosophy, Program Structure, and Levels of Play: 

At all ages of the Core Tennis Program, the “I Am A Good Sport” behaviors are introduced, developed and continually reinforced. The “I Am A Good Sport” behavior approach ensures long-term love of the sport, instills confidence and encourages good sportsmanship. Behavior expectations are shared during registration, outlining participant expectations on and off the court.

The mission of the Stowe Tennis Club Core Program is to build a solid foundation of skills for future success and promote enjoyment, improvement and life-long love of the sport of tennis. The progression of lesson plans and pathways to achievement are designed to follow either a recreational tennis goal or a more competitive tennis goal.

The structure of the program follows a modified progressive tennis approach. Each level of play focuses on learning the skills of serve, rally, play and score at net in singles and doubles. This approach includes the “I Can Play” and “Play-Practice-Play” model. Each level of development is based on age, maturity and skill. Monday through Thursday of each week has a strong focus on drills, training, games and a ton of fun, while Friday will be organized match play with intra/inter club matches scheduled.

The program maintains a maximum of 6:1 player-to-coach ratio while on court. A rotation of certified guest tennis pros provide additional on-court instruction to all groups and levels. Our coaches-in-training (CITs) support our team of coaches and pros as needed.

8-9 Year Old Progression and Levels of Play:

Level I - Players learn how to serve, rally, score and play at the net. “I am a Good Sport” behaviors are reinforced. Lessons follow the Play-Practice-Play model.

Level II - Players have strong competency of Level I skills. Players additionally learn to maintain a rally when receiving more challenging shots, serve with improved placement, approach the net, and place volleys. “I am a Good Sport” behaviors are reinforced. Lessons follow the Play-Practice-Play model.

10-11 Year Old Progression and Levels of Play:

Level I - Players learn to serve, rally, score, and play at net in singles and doubles on a regulation sized court. Lessons take players through a progression of skill building activities that speed learning. “I am a Good Sport” behaviors are reinforced. Lessons follow the Play-Practice-Play model.

Level II - Players have a strong competency of Level I skills. Players additionally learn to rally with improved direction and height control, serve with better power and control, return serves, and approach and play net with volleys and overheads. “I am a Good Sport” behaviors are reinforced. Lessons follow the Play-Practice-Play model.

12 -14 Year Progression and Levels of Play:

Level I - Players learn to serve, rally, score, and play at net in singles and doubles on a regulation sized court. Lessons take players through a progression of skill building activities that speed learning. “I am a Good Sport” behaviors are reinforced. Lessons follow the Play-Practice-Play model.

Level II - Players have competency of Level I skills. Players additionally learn to rally with improved direction and height control, serve with better power and control, return serves, and approach and play net with volleys and overheads. “I am a Good Sport” behaviors are reinforced. Lessons follow the Play-Practice-Play model.

Level III - Players have a strong level of competency of Level I/II skills and are interested in actively participating in more competitive play. Extra programming is available three times per week for these players with a focus on game strategy and dry-land training drills (see Advanced Tennis Program below). Competitive play in a USTA Tournament or League and participation in the STC Junior Ladder is strongly recommended and encouraged.

Advanced Tennis Program (ATP) - Forehand Approach

Formerly named Forehand Approach, the Advanced Tennis Program is integrated around the Core Tennis Program (above) and offers additional tennis instruction and opportunities to develop game strategy, match play and strength/conditioning over the course of the 8-week Core Tennis Program.

The goal of this program is to support the skill development of our more advanced, highly motivated, middle-school-aged participants (indicated as Level III above). Participants are expected to bring their passion and commitment to this higher-level tennis environment. The program will include more match play opportunities, goal-setting, and strength and agility training in three 30 minute sessions each week either before or after the regular core tennis programming. The tentative schedule for 2024 is as follows: 

• Monday evening 1:1 hitting sessions with senior coaches (4:00 - 4:30pm), 
• Tuesday Plyometric Strength Training (12:00pm – 12:30pm), 
• Thursday Speed and Tennis Endurance Training (12:00pm – 12:30pm). 

The age Requirement is 12 to 14. 

Pricing Options: The Advanced Tennis Program is available as an option when registering for the Core Tennis Program. We offer two pricing options for either an 8-week (full) or a 4-week (half) program.

High School Practice with Mike Tasi

For high school aged players who are currently playing on a competitive (eg: USTA) or high school tennis team with the goal to advance their tennis skills, tactics and level of play. High School Practice begins on Tuesday, June 18th at 5:30 pm and continues every Tuesday for 8 weeks ending on August 6th. Each High school practice will end promptly at 7pm. 

• In the event of rain, practice is cancelled and there is no rain make-up date and no charge. 
• High School Practice will be capped at 12 players per session. 
• The weekly sign-up sheet will be available at the Pro Shop. Sign-up priority is given to members and staff.

Pricing: $20/sessiom members/staff, $35/session for non-members. Sessions are invoiced through the Pro Shop at the end of the program based on participant attendance. 

Future Stars Program

The Future Stars begin on Tuesday June 25th and end on August 1st, with 45 minute classes starting at 3:15 pm & 4:00 pm each Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday for 6 weeks. 

• Program activities are subject to weather events such as rain or thunderstorms, and classes may be canceled due to weather. Weather make-up days available each Friday until August 2nd. 
• There will be no programming held on Thursday July 4th. All of Thursday's classes to be held on Friday, July 5th.
• The Prize Day and Awards Party will be held on Thursday, August 1st with a rain date of Friday August 2nd. All program participants and their families are welcome to join us for this final day of the program.

The age Requirement is 4 to 7, divided into two classes by age: 4-5 year olds at 3:15-4:00pm (divided into 2 groups of 6 participants), and 6-7 year olds at 4:00-4:45pm (divided into 2 groups of 6 participants). 

Pricing Options: We offer two pricing options, a 3-week price for attending weeks 1, 2, and 3, and a 3-week price for attending weeks 4, 5, and 6. Register for both pricing options to attend the full 6-week program. We encourage participants to attend a minimum of 3 consecutive weeks to follow the progression of instruction and skill development. Please contact us to ask about scheduling exceptions and keep us informed of your plans should they change so we can keep an accurate attendance list each week. 

Philosophy, Program Structure, and Levels of Play: 

Our Future Stars Program is based on the USTA Net Generation, kid-friendly approach to tennis that hopes to inspire the next generation of young tennis players.  Using modified equipment to enhance learning, this program introduces the basics of tennis including skills and activities that build tennis specific coordination and most importantly a foundation for future success. Net Generation is the United States Tennis Association official youth brand and development program.

At all ages of the Junior Program the “I Am A Good Sport” behaviors are introduced, developed and continually reinforced. The “I Am A Good Sport” behavior approach ensures long-term love of the sport, instills confidence and encourages (if not demands) good sportsmanship. 

All classes will maintain a 3:1 player-to-coach ratio. Coach-In-Training (CITs) will support as needed. 

4/5 Year Old Progression and Levels of Play:

This program introduces the foundational skills of tennis with an oversized low-compression ball on court (red ball) without a net. Players may work up to practicing with a net as the summer progresses. Future Star players will use smaller-sized rackets appropriate for their size; either 19", 21" or 23". Players learn basic skills along with activities that build tennis specific coordination. Basic rules of play and “I am a Good Sport” behaviors are introduced.

6/7 Year Old Progression and Levels of Play:

This program introduces the foundational skills of tennis with an oversized low-compression ball on a smaller court. Future Stars players will use smaller sized rackets appropriate for their size; either 21" or 23". Players learn basic rally, serve and net play skills along with activities that build tennis specific coordination. Rules of play and “I am a Good Sport” behaviors are introduced.