Frequently Asked Questions
All Students/campers need to register and pay prior to the first lesson/first day of camp to be confirmed. Students not paid/registered will not be allowed on the court. Walk-ons are not accepted.
Clinics, Private and semiprivate classes: We understand if you have to miss a class due to work travel, sick child, etc. All cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance of your scheduled time to qualify for a makeup credit. Email cancellations to [email protected] Late cancellations and no-shows for classes will be forfeited. If a class day is canceled due to weather, an additional class will be added to the schedule at the end of the session. All makeups must be completed in the session you are registered for.
CAMP: No cancellation policy for summer tennis camp. Parents are allowed to move their registration to a different week 30 days prior to the start date of camp.
All programs are non-refundable. A credit towards a future camp, clinics and private lessons will be issued for players who cannot attend due to an injury. A doctor’s note will be required for sickness and/or injuries. All cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance of your scheduled class time to qualify for a makeup credit.
CAMP: registered weeks may be changed to different weeks 30 days prior to the start date.
CLINICS: registered clinics may be changed to different days within the session 30 days prior to clinic start.
PRIVATE/SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS: Unfortunately, we cannot make changes to registered private and semi-private lessons.
All lessons and summer camp are held at the Roxbury Latin School Tennis Courts.
Address: 101 St. Theresa Avenue, West Roxbury, MA 02132
DIRECTIONS: Once on St. Theresa Avenue go to the end of the street (DO NOT GO INTO MAIN ENTRANCE), make a right-hand turn onto Quail Street, once on Quail Street, look for signs on left to Rappaport Parking/Tennis Courts, make a left hand turn into Rappaport Parking, come up the ramp and park. You will see a sign that directs you to the walking path that goes to the tennis courts.
Children are put into groups with players of not only their age but ABILITY.
We make changes periodically to the groups as the children develop their tennis skills.
Adults are put through a quick skills test on the first day of class to determine what is the most appropriate group for you. There is always a minimum of 2 coaches for the adult clinics, typically there is an advanced group and a beginner group-this method of getting adults in the appropriate groups has worked for BTA for over 30 years.
All classes are tailored to fit the skill level of the current group. Whether an advanced player or a beginner, we teach everyone with the same enthusiasm, technique and work ethic.
Typically age 4 is the youngest age to enroll in group clinics and summer tennis camp. Exceptions can be made with an email or phone call to Shelly. [email protected] 617
Under the kids’ enrollment schedule, you will see different levels based on the color of the ball. Please view the different colors and register for the class that fits your child’s age. In clinics and summer camp we always start players on day 1 in age-appropriate groups with the correct ball color. Within the first 30 minutes of the first day of clinics/summer camp, we make necessary changes to the groups based on ability. This system has worked for BTA for over 30 years!
Contact Shelly Mars via email or phone to schedule private and semi-private lessons [email protected]
617-283-9812. Go to the Private Lessons page for more details. Cancellations for private/semi-private lessons Are only applicable to students with injuries or illness. You must cancel your lesson 24 hours in advance and send a doctor’s note to receive a make-up credit. All make-ups must be completed in the session registered for.
We do not offer tennis lessons during the winter months. We are a seasonal program, running from mid April through the end of October. We do have access to the Gordon field house for tennis camp, we use Pickleball nets and continue to play tennis on rainy camp days. The Gordon field house is the size of three full size basketball courts, an open space that works perfectly!
Yes, your best options are:
Natick Racquet Club
Sportsman’s Tennis Club
Longfellow Tennis Club
We would recommend signing up as early as possible because classes and camp fill up quickly. Weekends also fill up very quickly for private and group lessons during the spring and fall.
It depends on the age and level.
Red ball: Ages 3-5 are usually with no more than six per coach. We try to keep the Red Ballers 4:1 student/coach ratio But it depends on the day and time signed up for. Limit 6 kids per coach.
Orange ball: Ages 6-8 are usually with no more than eight per coach. We try to keep the Orange Ballers 6:1 student/coach ratio but it depends on the day and time signed for. Limit 8 kids per coach.
Green ball: Ages 9-10 are usually with no more than eight per coach. We try to keep the Green Ballers 6:1 student/coach ratio But it depends on the day and time signed up for. Limit 8 kids per coach.
Yellow ball: Ages 11 Plus Will have no more than 10 per coach. These groups will continue to work on their technique and stoke development and play more game-based activities. Sometimes we get kids ages 11 plus that need more technique work, they will be placed with a separate coach, in a smaller group to work on their stroke production so they can begin to work on game-based play. Limit 10 kids per coach.
Beginner to intermediate players are usually no more than 10 per coach, we try to keep to an 8:1 student/coach ratio but this depends on the day and time signed for. Limit 10 adults per coach. There is always a minimum of two coaches for the adult clinics and typically there is an advanced group and a beginner group, sometimes a third or fourth coach is needed and will be added based on the number of students. The classes are tailored to fit the skill level of the current group.
KIDS: It’s best if children come to clinics/camp with their own racquet. Please view tennis for kids section on the website to view information about purchasing the correct LENGTH tennis racquet for your child.
ADULTS: We have plenty of racquets for adults to use on the first day of class.
We would like you to purchase your own racquet after the first class. Your first racquet purchase should be inexpensive and no more than $100.
Camp and Junior clinics: if it’s just drizzling, most outdoor activities for camp and junior clinics will continue as planned so please remember to send your child to clinics/camp with a rain jacket on days with potential wet weather.
Camp ONLY: If rain is heavy we will move the children indoors.
Junior clinics Spring and Fall: If rain is heavy you will receive an email cancelling class for the day and one class will be added to the end of the session.
Adults: If courts are wet you will receive an email from shelly cancelling clinics for the day and one class will be added to the end of the session.
Yes, you are going to need to contact Shelly by email ([email protected]) telling her what class you are interested in joining and the amount due will be prorated based on the number of classes left.
There is a discount available for full-day summer camp sessions (9am-3pm) and the discount is $50.00 per child. There will be a coupon offered on the website for you to use to receive the discount.
Please dress in comfortable athletic clothing and tennis court shoes, have a water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. We have extra rackets for adults and kids if you don’t have one.
It is better to come late than not at all. All cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance to qualify for a makeup credit. Cancellations due to an injury or illness require a doctor’s note to receive a makeup credit. Late cancellations and no-shows are not eligible for a makeup credit. All make-ups must be completed in the session registered for.