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By Chris Foti
Hometown Weekly Correspondent
Walpole’s pint-sized Roger Federers and Serena Williamses are having a ball this summer - and they’ve got an ace instructor showing them the way.
Jill Aldorisio is in her first year as Head Instructor for Walpole Recreation’s Junior Tennis development camp. She is running the program through the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) format, who are the world’s leading trade association of certified tennis teaching professionals and coaches, viewed and highly respected as an organization of knowledgeable experts and specialists. Jill’s goal, by using her training with the USPTA, is to raise the standard of tennis teaching and improve the future of the sport in Walpole.
Helping Jill with the Junior Tennis camp are two Walpole High School tennis athletes. Recent graduate Dillon Knight, who will be attending Tufts University in the fall, played on first team doubles for the Rebels, while Lily Hunter was on the junior varsity team and will be heading into her junior year at Walpole.
Walpole’s Junior Tennis is a three week camp that runs Monday through Thursdays in the summer, with Friday reserved as a rain date. Throughout the program, players learn to improve their game through fundamental drills as well as basic gameplay (both singles and doubles).
Jill also runs a Tiny Tennis program for younger players aged 3 - 6 p.m. on Saturdays, which is designed around the USPTA “Little Tennis” program. In Tiny Tennis, players learn basic motor skills, which inlcudes walking, running, hopping, jumping, skipping, catching, throwing, kicking, and striking, as well as team work.
The Junior Tennis program takes place on the six outdoor tennis courts located at Walpole High School, and is open to any and all players looking to improve their tennis skills. Players are required to bring their own rackets, wear sun protective clothing (hats and sunscreen), wear athletic sneakers, and bring plenty of water and a lunch. For additional details or to sign up, residents can visit Walpole Recreation’s website or visit Blackburn Hall in Walpole Center.
