Junior Tennis
Lower Aghada Tennis & Sailing Club has a vibrant junior programme with almost 90 junior members. We offer tennis lessons for children and teenagers ages 5 to 17 in East Cork.
Whether your child is picking up a racket for the first time or advancing towards tournament play, our primary focus is on ensuring they have fun and develop their skills at a suitable pace.
At Lower Aghada, we place participation at the heart of our junior programme. Our aim is to ensure every child feels welcome, included, and excited to play tennis each week.
We run:
Weekly coaching and practice sessions year-round
Holiday camps during school breaks
Club tournaments and fun events for all ages
A supportive environment where friendships grow on and off the court
This approach makes us one of the most popular clubs for kids tennis near Midleton and East Cork.
Caitlin, Age 7, Junior Member
“I like all the teachers and you can make lots of new friends. I’m excited to go every week. I like that it’s beside the sea.”
Junior Coaching Pathway – Putting Children First
At Lower Aghada Tennis & Sailing Club, we follow Tennis Ireland’s Children First safeguarding standards. That means every decision about coaching groups is made with the child’s long-term development, enjoyment, and wellbeing at the centre.
Our junior programme is built around the Tennis Ireland pathway:
Red Ball (ages ~5–8): Smaller courts and softer balls to build basic coordination, movement, and confidence.
Orange Ball (ages ~7–9): A step up in size and pace, developing rally skills, tactics, and consistency.
Green Ball (ages ~9–10): Nearly full-size court and faster balls, preparing children for competitive play.
Yellow Ball (ages 11+): Standard tennis balls on a full court, with an emphasis on match play and advanced skills.
Children are grouped by both age and stage. Moving up too quickly can mean missing important foundations or feeling out of place in a class, which can knock confidence. Staying in the right group helps children enjoy tennis, build skills at their own pace, and develop a love for the game that lasts.
Our coaches regularly review every child’s progress and will move them up as soon as they are ready.
Junior Lessons & Camps
We run a full calendar of children’s tennis lessons in East Cork, designed to make tennis fun, social, and accessible for all ages.
Weekly Term-Time Lessons
Sessions run on Monday and Wednesday afternoons during school terms (three terms per year).
Juniors are grouped by age and stage, following the Tennis Ireland pathway.
Juniors must be members to take part in lessons.
Summer Tennis Camps
Multi-day camps during the summer holidays.
Open to all abilities, focused on fun, games, and friendships.
Open to non-members.
Advanced Coaching
Invitation-only groups for players who show strong potential and commitment.
Smaller groups with more personalised coaching to support progression to tournament play.
To find out more or to book, please contact loweragahadatennis@gmail.com.
FAQs
Does my child need to be a member to take lessons?
Children must be members of Lower Aghada Tennis & Sailing Club to join term-time coaching. Summer camps are open to non-members.
What does my child need to bring?
Just a bottle of water, comfortable clothes they can run and move in, and wear sports shoes (trainers/runners) with good grip.
Do they need to wear special tennis kit (e.g. dress or whites)?
No — everyday sports gear is perfect.
Do they need their own racket?
No — the coach and club have rackets to lend. When the time comes to buy one, our coach can recommend the right size and weight. We often share details of second-hand racket sales and deals too.
Does my child need to be a member to take part in a summer camp?
Non-members can attend our summer and holiday camps at a different rate to members. Please contact Vin for more information.
What happens if it rains?
Our all-weather floodlit courts mean lessons can usually continue. If weather is very severe, the coach will let parents know of cancellations or reschedules.
Can beginners join even if they’ve never played before?
Absolutely — our Red Ball sessions are designed for complete beginners. Every child can start at the right level for them.
Is there a pathway for progression?
Yes — children move through Red, Orange, Green and Yellow Ball levels as soon as they are ready, so they are always challenged but never rushed.
Do lessons continue during the holidays?
Term-time lessons pause during school holidays, but we run summer camps and sometimes holiday events.
Is there a toilet my child can use?
Yes, the outside toilet is just beside the door to the clubhouse. Juniors may only use the outside toilet during lessons.
Meet The Coach
Michael Russell is our Level 2 certified Tennis Ireland coach based in East Cork / Midleton. He brings years of experience coaching children and juniors. Michael’s focus is helping every child enjoy tennis, build confidence, and develop solid fundamentals, always aligned with Children First safeguarding standards.
Qualified: Tennis Ireland Level 2 Coach
Based in the East Cork / Midleton region
Awarded Tennis Ireland’s National School Coach of the Year Award in 2023
Junior Competitions and Progression
When children are ready — and want to — they can step into match play and competitions. Progression happens at their own pace, never forced.
Friendly club competitions are organised to introduce match play in a fun way
Juniors can move into county, regional and national tournaments when ready
Parents can explore upcoming junior events via the Tennis Ireland Junior Calendar
Our coaching team and junior committee are always happy to guide families on the right events for their child.
Safeguarding – Children First
Lower Aghada Tennis & Sailing Club is fully committed to Tennis Ireland’s Children First Safeguarding standards.
That means:
All coaches and volunteers are Garda-vetted and safeguarding trained
Every child is placed in a group that best suits their age and stage
We prioritise enjoyment, wellbeing, and confidence above everything else
Full details of our policies and our Club Children’s Officer contact details are available on our Safeguarding page.
Joining the Club
If you’re looking for junior tennis lessons in East Cork or children’s tennis coaching near Midleton, Lower Aghada is the perfect place to start.
Visit our Join Now page for membership details
Or email us directly at loweraghadatennis@gmail.com
Why Choose Lower Aghada?
Nearly 600 members and a thriving junior section
Professional coaching team aligned with Tennis Ireland pathway
Safe, welcoming environment built on Children First safeguarding
Opportunities for fun, friendships, and competitive play
For all enquiries about lessons or membership, please email loweraghadatennis@gmail.com