THERE’S a new face leading the Hot Shots tennis program at the Mildura Lawn Tennis Club this season.
Cam Phillips, a 26-year-old physical education teacher at Coomealla High School, has taken charge of the program, after moving to Mildura from Singleton, New South Wales, in January this year.
“I coached for 10 years, and I completed my Masters in Teaching last year and have now become a full time teacher,” he said.
“I came here with the intention of just doing the teaching, not really doing any more tennis, but I guess word got around and a few people nagged at me and I ended up saying yes.”
Phillips has been involved in the sport since he was five, and grew up playing on a grass court in his hometown.
“I come from a town where there is one club, so this has been a really big shock for me having so many options and having so many people involved in the sport,” he said.
“It’s been really good.”
Coaching 25 students at his first Hot Shots session during the past weekend, Phillips said there’s a good little group that’s formed.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm which is awesome, and an eagerness to learn,” he said.
“There’s definitely a lot of potential in there.”
He said the club had aspired to get more juniors playing at a tournament level, and even travelling around to represent Mildura in the competitive scene.
For now Phillips will spend one day of his weekend coaching juniors, and also aims to introduce a cardio tennis program for any adults interested in a fitness regime.
“It’s a fitness group, but it’s not about high level tennis, that’s just a thing we’re tossing up and gauging eagerness,” he said.
