Centennial Park to offer youth tennis lessons

Tennis classes for children ages 4 to 18 begin this month at Pearland's Centennial Park.

Beginning in August, youth tennis players can sign up for lessons at Centennial Park.

Lessons will be offered for four age groups for children ages 4 to 18. Anyone can sign up, with registration for Pearland residents $140 and for nonresidents $170. Children taking part in the program are only required to bring their own racquet, but because of the potential for extreme heat, instructor Edward Gonzales recommends that all attendees hydrate properly before the lessons begin and wear a cap while playing.

ADDRESS: Centennial Park, 3219 McLean Road, Pearland, TX 77581
DATES: Registration begins Monday, Aug. 13; Lessons begin Monday, Aug. 27 and meet Mondays and Wednesdays.
PHONE: 281-412-8900
WEBSITE: pearlandparks.com
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Tennis is a sport that can be played for a lifetime, and children as young as 4 years old can begin to learn the game with these lessons. The instructional sessions will be led by Edward Gonzales, a USPTA certified tennis instructor, and all participants will have the opportunity to be on the court for at least two hours each week. The lessons are run with the cooperation of Pearland Parks and Recreation, and they provide an opportunity for children ranging in age from 4 to 18 to hone their tennis skills.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "For the 4- to 6-year-old group, we focus mostly on hand-eye coordination drills. We really want to get them to enjoy it first. With the older groups, we focus more on technique. My goal is in about a year or two years to develop these kids to become real tennis players. I ask my players for four things: focus, strategy, effort and control." — Edward Gonzales, tennis instructor