High-Performance Junior Programme

Service description

1. 01

   Who this programme is for

   This programme is built for juniors who are ready to take their tennis seriously, whether that means learning to rally consistently for the first time or preparing for regional and provincial competition. Three age-based groups — Foundations, Development and Performance — mean every player trains alongside peers at a comparable stage.

   Parents often ask whether their child is ready. If your junior is between 8 and 18, motivated to improve and willing to commit to three sessions per week across a 12-week block, this programme is designed for them. Coaches assess each player at intake and place them in the group where they will grow fastest.

2. 02

   How the programme is structured

   Each 12-week block runs three sessions per week, combining on-court technical coaching, fitness and footwork work, and match-play and point-construction drills. Skill benchmarks are set at the start of every block so progress is measurable rather than vague.

   Groups are capped at six players per coach. That ceiling is not a marketing line — it is the number at which a coach can genuinely watch every swing, correct every pattern and give each junior the individual feedback that actually changes how they play.

3. 03

   Monthly progress reports for parents

   At the end of each month, parents receive a written progress report covering their child's technical development, physical conditioning and competitive readiness. The report is specific: it names what has improved, what the current focus is and what the next steps look like.

   This keeps families informed without requiring them to decode what happened on court. Coaches who grew up in this community know that parents here value straight, honest communication — and that is exactly what the reports deliver.

4. 04

   Competition preparation and internal tournaments

   Players in the Performance group (ages 16–18) are guided toward regional and provincial junior competitions. Coaches assist with entry logistics and run dedicated pre-tournament preparation sessions so juniors arrive ready rather than anxious.

   All programme participants also have access to internal round-robin tournaments held within the GM Tenis Academy community. These events give younger players competitive match experience in a supportive environment before they step onto an external court for the first time.

5. 05

   From the baseline: what makes this programme different

   GM Tenis Academy was founded by coaches who learned the game on Red Deer's own public courts. That background shapes every decision in this programme — the scheduling, the communication style, the way feedback is delivered to a nervous ten-year-old and a driven seventeen-year-old alike.

   There is no need to travel to a larger city for serious junior development. The structured pathway, the small groups and the honest coaching culture here are built for the players, families and rhythms of central Alberta.

6. 06

   What to bring and how to prepare

   Players should arrive with a racquet suited to their current size and a water bottle for each session. Appropriate court shoes — not running shoes — protect both the player and the playing surface, and coaches will flag this at intake if needed.

   New juniors do not need prior competitive experience to join the Foundations or Development groups. The first session is treated as a settling-in opportunity. Coaches observe movement, coordination and rally consistency before introducing any structured drill work, so every player starts from a comfortable and accurate baseline.

What the service includes

• On-court technical coaching in groups of up to 6
• Monthly written progress report for parents
• Fitness and footwork sessions integrated into each block
• Match-play and point-construction drills
• Access to internal round-robin tournaments
• 12-week structured block with clear skill benchmarks

How getting started works

1. 1

   Initial conversation

   Tell us about your goals, experience level and schedule. We listen first and then recommend the programme or combination that makes the most sense for you.

2. 2

   Court assessment

   New players complete a short on-court assessment so we can place you in the right group or design the right private plan. No pressure — it is an information-gathering session, not a test.

3. 3

   Programme enrolment

   We confirm your place in the chosen programme, agree on the schedule and complete registration. You receive a welcome email with everything you need before your first session.

4. 4

   Training begins

   Your first session sets the tone: coaches introduce the block's goals, establish group norms and begin skill work. Parents of juniors are welcome to watch from the designated viewing area.

5. 5

   Progress review

   At the end of each block, players receive a written progress report and a brief coach conversation. We discuss what was achieved, what comes next and whether a programme adjustment is needed.

Price

Gross prices are for guidance only. You will receive an exact quote before work begins.

Frequently asked questions