Week 6 Schedule

We are entering week 6 of our summer tennis program. This week marks our last regular week of the Core Program before we transition into our Summer Program Championship Tournaments, which start next week. More detailed information on these tournaments will be shared later this week, so stay tuned!

This weeks program will include:

Monday: Tennis Footwork: Head Pro Mike Tasi will work with us on the importance of efficient footwork which allows a player to get to the ball in time to set up their next shot. Good footwork can make or break your tennis game!

Tuesday: Offensive Strategies: Jamie from Top Notch will work with players on developing offensive strategies such as attacking the net, and using a variety of shots to finish the point.

Wednesday: Defensive Strategies: Jana from Top Notch joins us to strengthen our defensive strategies-such as, keeping the ball high and deep, making high percentage shots and ball consistency.

Thursday: Olympic Game Day. The Paris Olympics are days away and we will have our own Olympic Challenges !

Friday: HOME MATCH at Stowe VS Burlington Tennis Club. The match will occur between 1-3 at STC! For players who do not wish to participate in the match, tennis games will be offered on other courts.

The weather forecast for this week shows a chance of rain Tuesday-Thursday. Let's stay positive and think dry thoughts :)

As always, please feel welcome to reach out if you have any questions. The coaches and I look forward to seeing you on Monday!

Michele Whitmore, Summer Tennis Program Coordinator

Seb Sweatman, CORE Program Facilitator and Advanced Tennis Player Coordinator

Ryan McDonnell, Future Stars Coordinator and Summer Tennis Program Assistant Coordinator

Dress code and Proper Attire: 

Outfit your players in plain-colored, graphic-free, tennis-appropriate clothing and tennis-appropriate shoes with mild tread. Only understated tennis-relevant logos or tennis-intentional designs. 

For boys, wear sleeves on all shirts (no tank tops) and athletic shorts. 

For girls, tank tops are okay and skirts or tennis shorts are preferred (no leggings or biker shorts unless covered by a skirt). 

What to bring: 

All program participants should bring a racket, water bottle (labeled with your name), sun protection (hat and/or sunscreen) and an optional snack each day of the program. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase at the Pro Shop.

For the Core Program, those who plan to swim in the pool should bring a bathing suit and towel.

Weather Events and Cancelations:

All program activities are subject to weather events such as rain or thunderstorms, and the daily schedule may be adjusted or canceled accordingly. Email communications will be sent out a minimum of 2 hours in advance of the start time for schedule changes due to light rain or wet courts, or for program cancellations due to heavy rain or unplayable courts. Parents and caregivers will be contacted for early pick-up if the program must be shortened due weather events such as thunderstorms. We will also post updates on Facebook and on the Stowe Tennis Club website with any changes to the program.

Release of Liability and Behavior expectations: 

The success of these programs relies on all program participants, coaches and staff to uphold the behavior expectations and support an environment that is safe, respectful, and welcoming. Each parent/guardian must sign the release of liability and behavioral expectations prior to the start date of the program.

Introducing Our 2024 Staff

(from Left to Right, Top to Bottom)

Michele Whitmore - Program Coordinator

Michele was a higher education administrator at the Johnson campus @ Vermont State University for 29 years. She also was Head Coach for the men and women tennis teams for several years during her time at Johnson. Michele is in her first season as the boys high school tennis coach at Mount Mansfield Union in Jericho.

Sebastian Sweatman - On-Court Facilitator, Core Tennis Program and ATP

Seb has been a member of STC for many years. Seb started his tennis career as a camper, a Coach in Training, and then a counselor at Windridge Tennis Camps.

Ryan McDonnell - Future Stars Coordinator, Core Tennis Program Assistant

Ryan has several years experience as a tennis instructor in California, Texas, and Buffalo and is the head coach for the men and women tennis teams at the Vermont State University, Johnson campus.

Julia Biedermann - Coach and returning staff member

Gabby Doehla - Coach and returning staff member

Leo Jercinovic - Coach and returning staff member

Max Biedermann - Coach and returning staff member

Lucy Gaines - Coach in training 

Luke Slesar - Coach in training 

Harper Freund - Coach in training 

Boone Parsons - Coach in training 

Mallory Sequist - Coach in training 

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.

Notify the program coordinator if your schedule changes or if the participant will be absent during any scheduled days. 

Reminders: Please be on time. Our Core Program is Monday through Friday, starting promptly at 1:00 - and ending promptly at 4:00pm. Two hours of on court tennis instruction will be from 1:00-3:00pm; followed by an hour of recreation time from 3:00-4:00pm. Rec time will vary day to day but will include pool time, board games, ping pong, pickle ball or additional hitting with a coach or with other participants. There will be coaches at every activity helping to keep the activity safe, fun, and engaging! All program participants should arrive fed and hydrated. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase at the Pro Shop. 

Sign out: We want to run as safe of a program as possible and we need your help with this. We require the family picking up their child to check in with Michele, Ryan or Seb so we can confirm that the child is leaving with the correct person that day. If your child is being picked up by a different person, we need to know that as well. Accountability is super important! We will have an attendance sheet each day to assist with accountability. Additionally, please let Michele, Ryan or Seb know as soon as possible, if your child is not going to make it to camp on a certain day. Knowing the number of participants each day allows us to plan a safe, efficient and smooth day of tennis!

Club Matches: On most Fridays, there will be an opportunity for either tennis matches against another Vermont clubs or inter-squad matches. Some of the club matches will require traveling to the other tennis club. Families are responsible for their own child's transportation. STC coaches or staff are unable to arrange carpools and cannot transport children to and from other clubs. A schedule of club matches will be provided in a separate email later in a few weeks.

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 online. 

Advanced Tennis Program (ATP) - Forehand Approach

Formerly named Forehand Approach, the Advanced Tennis Program is integrated around the Core Tennis Program and offers additional tennis instruction and opportunities to develop game strategy, match play and strength and agility training over the course of the 8-weeks. The program includes three extra 45-minute tennis sessions per week. The schedule is as follows: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday sessions from 3:30 - 4:15pm.

The age Requirement is 12 to 14. 

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. 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). 

• 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.

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 is 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.