Children can get into the swing of things at this camp
Reynolds started the Royalcrest Tennis camp this year at James Gardens Tennis Club, at 235 Edenbridge Dr., south of Eglinton Avenue West and west of Scarlett Road.
"This is the first year that we're running it (the camp)," said the Liberty Village resident. "The club has been running for almost 40 years and they've never had a tennis camp there before."
He added it's a hidden, beautiful little club and although many seniors are currently members, a younger generation needs to try the sport.
"I want to get the kids that are inside playing on Wii. I want to get them out on the courts playing tennis," he said.
Reynolds started a junior tennis program at Laurentian University in Sudbury when he studied there. He currently runs a program out of the North Toronto Tennis Club in the Annex, called Lytton Park Tennis.
"It's very successful there," he said. "It's a sold-out program. It became so successful so quickly."
It's been running for four years.
Reynolds said there are still spots available at the Royalcrest camp.
Players don't need experience, but they need to be between the ages of four and 16.
"Most of the kids have never picked up a racquet before," he said. "Even four-year-olds learn a lot. Their success rate is very high."
To help children who normally wouldn't be able to play the sport due to financial restrictions, Reynolds started an outreach program and allows about 10 per cent of the players to play for free.
Reynolds said he approached sports equipment manufacturer Head asking for help. They jumped on board and supply the racquets for less privileged kids.
The outreach program is an important part of the camp, Reynolds said.
"I found a balance," he said. "I just do it. I need a certain amount of paying kids or I wouldn't be able to pay my instructors, but it's important to me."
Reynolds approached principals at neighbouring schools in Etobicoke and the Annex areas asking them for help.
"I ask them to find me 25 kids to join us," he said. "The principal finds the kids."
The camp isn't just about tennis. They play other games as well.
"The kids, especially the younger ones, can't play tennis all day," Reynolds said, adding they also play soccer, dodgeball, ultimate Frisbee and play games with water balloons on really hot days. "But at the end of the camp every single one of the kids is walking away from the tennis court having learned forehand, backhand and volley," he said. "The little kids can't serve, but if they're seven and up they're going to learn serves for sure."
The camp runs weekly.
For more information visit www.royalcresttennis.com
