Program offers year-round entertainment

Although the community may be noted most for its quality and quantity of golfing opportunities and hundreds of miles of hike and bike pathways, The Woodlands also features dozens of tennis courts and an extensive list of tennis leagues and programs. Over the past several years, The Woodlands Township has expanded its services to offer more than a dozen tennis leagues at its 74 tennis courts and clubs throughout the year.

"The tennis program started out very small—just a handful of youth and adult programs, and that was it," said Chris Nunes, director of The Woodlands Township parks and recreation department. "Over the last decade, specifically in the last four to five years, [the program] has grown with the number of participants and instructors as well as the amount of programs we offer. As people started to come to us, and word-of-mouth got out we started to add more structures. It has been a continuous cycle of expansion."

Over the summer, The Woodlands Township offers two adult sessions for beginners and intermediates along with weekly lessons and drills. According to the Township, the tennis program has geared up its efforts to involve more adults and children under 10 in lessons and leagues.

"[The Township] has continued to try and get adults involved through new drills and children 10 and under through tournaments," said Brett Womack, a private instructor with the program. "Tennis is a sport you can play for a lifetime."

As of January, the township began offering monthly lessons for The Woodlands youth at Bear Branch, Cattail and Lakeside parks. Youth programs are offered in three age groups—Rookies for ages 5–8, Challengers for ages 9–12 and Aces for ages 13–16—and categorized by beginner, intermediate and advanced participants. No previous experience is required for beginners.

"The growth has been incumbent upon the number of locations we have and the access people have to a court as well as an instructor," Nunes said. "It's really a matter of convenience. It shows that the community is maximizing their facilities whether through structured play or informal recreational play."

For more skilled players, a Junior Masters league is available through the tennis academy and split by age group. These programs feature an advanced level of instruction and typically train students from ages 8–17 who are already involved in local, statewide or national tournaments and would like to hone their skills.

Upcoming dates

Summer leagues

• Men's doubles: June 11–Aug. 13
• Women's doubles: June 19–Aug. 13

Fall/Winter leagues

• Men's doubles: Aug. 27–Nov. 5 and Nov. 13–Dec. 17
• Women's doubles: Aug. 28–Nov. 6 and Nov. 14–Dec. 18
• Mixed doubles: Aug. 30–Dec. 20

Locations of leagues vary

Youth summer camps

• Bear Branch Tennis Court

Beginners and intermediates:

• June 10–13
• June 17–20
• June 24–27
• July 1–3, 5
• July 8–11
• July 15–18
• July 22–25
• July 29–Aug. 1
• Aug. 5–8
• Aug. 12–15

281-210-3950

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.