Tennis lessons in Figtree from the experienced Linda Bayly
Linda Bayly has been providing tennis lessons at Nareena Hills Tennis Club in Figtree since 1986, and has been fully qualified since 1991. More than 40 years experience playing and coaching tennis at all levels has provided Linda with a wealth of knowledge that she enjoys sharing with both absolute beginners and those more experienced who are looking to refine their skills.
Nareena Hills Tennis Club in Figtree is a friendly, family oriented club. Social events bring members together regularly, and many have developed lasting friendships over the nets at this leafy Figtree tennis court. The club has a very welcoming, chilled out vibe, with players of all ability levels.
Coaching from the grassroots level is a passion of Linda’s, as she shares her genuine love of the game with everyone who steps onto the court. Seeing individuals reach their potential, no matter what level they are at is one of the reasons she loves her job so much.
When is a good age to start tennis lessons?
The NSW Government Active Kids Vouchers provide the opportunity for some kids to give tennis a try, who otherwise might not get the chance. Starting school can be a good age to begin tennis lessons, as once children reach school age, they are developmentally ready to start learning the skills required for tennis. Many children don’t try tennis until later – it’s really an individual thing.
The good news is that it’s never too late to start learning tennis, even as an adult. It is a great sport for your mental and physical health, plus tennis provides strong social connections. You can also continue playing tennis well into your older years – some legends continuing into their eighties and some even through their nineties!
What are the benefits of playing tennis?
Linda has noticed there is often a spike in people seeking tennis lessons in January, coinciding with the Australian Open and surrounding tournaments, especially when home grown superstars are doing well. Kids love to pretend that they are the next Ash Barty or Nick Kyrgios. Another good reason to start tennis lessons is to improve your fitness, or perhaps put your cocky partner in their place by beating them on the court to have bragging rights at home because of your superior racquet skills.
Tennis was one of the few activities that continued throughout the Covid restrictions. Many people took up tennis for the first time, and some returned to the court after not having played for quite some time. Linda tells me that now that life is back to normal again, you can see people’s emotional state is much better. “It’s been lovely to see the kids back to being happier, more relaxed and able to interact socially without restriction again.”
Pickleball in the Illawarra
Pickleball has been described as the fastest growing sport worldwide. It’s a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. Pickleball is played on a badminton sized court with paddles and a hollow polymer ball. It can be played as singles or doubles, and is less physically demanding than full court tennis. It is super fun and is available to try right here in Figtree.
You can currently hire the pickleball gear and set up for a casual hit at Nareena Hills tennis courts. The ball is difficult to control in windy conditions, so make sure you choose a calm day to “dink into your opponent’s kitchen” for the first time! Keep a lookout on the Nareena Hills Tennis Club Facebook page for updates on an upcoming social pickleball competition.
Tennis court hire in Figtree
If you’re looking for casual tennis court hire in Figtree, you can book a court and pick up the key from Rest Cafe at 20 Walang Ave, Figtree. Annual membership of the club is also an option, which includes tennis court hire. Individual lessons and small group lessons are available and school holiday clinics are a popular option to get the kids moving outdoors. If you need your racquet restrung, the tennis club has a very experienced racquet stringer available too.
I asked Linda who she thinks is a good chance at the 2023 Australian Open, and she had a really hard time choosing a winner from the women’s side of the draw. “It’s really hard, it’s so open with no Ash Barty or Naomi Osaka. Iga Swiatek is pretty emotional – maybe Petra Kvitova or Paula Badosa.”
In the men’s she was a bit more confident, “Novak Djokovic is hard to beat, although Taylor Fritz is playing well at the moment. If Djokovic got injured, Nick Kyrgios could win it, but I don’t think he can beat Novak on that surface”.
Linda’s longevity in the role of head coach at the tennis club in Figtree is testament to her skills, not only as a coach, but also her fair and even temperament. Children who she coached many years ago are now returning with kids of their own. Coaching the same family across generations is both as rewarding for Linda as it is proof of her reputation in the Illawarra tennis community.
