We are offering 2 camps for summer 2024!
Sign up for one OR both!
Camp 1: June 17, 18, 19, 24, 26, 27
Camp 2: July 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10
Both camps are filling up quickly.
Check carefully when registering as some groups are completely full.
Registration link: https://forms.gle/zbPUVpN57gg47cop7
Scroll down for important camp info.
Thank you to our 2024 sponsors below! If you would like to be a sponsor of our 2024 camps, please reach out to [email protected] asap.
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At Spartan Tennis, we've been providing quality 10 and Under tennis fun and instruction to the children of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake community since 2010. Once again, this summer promises to be filled with lots of tennis fun and friends!
Our approach is FUN first with minimal wait time. While we do have a good number of campers in each session, our coach-to-camper ratio is very low due to the number of student-coaches we have on hand. Our junior coaches are varsity and collegiate-level athletes. They really enjoy giving back to a game they love and sharing their time and their talents with the children of our community! Former girls and boys varsity coach and camp director Geoff Leggieri and our girls JV coaches will be on-court leading activities at all times. Current boys and girls varsity players as well as collegiate players will be assisting the adult coaches.
Registration link: https://forms.gle/zbPUVpN57gg47cop7
Tally up fees and send registration payment to:
Venmo: @glegg
OR
check made to "Spartan Tennis".
Mail to:
SPARTAN TENNIS
1 MANNING RD
BALLSTON LAKE, NY 12019
QUICK FACTS AND FAQs
2024 Cost:
(no camp t-shirts will be provided for registrations received past 5/15/24)
CAMP 1: JUNE 17, 18, 19, 24, 26, 27
CAMP 2: JULY 1, 2, 3, 8. 9, 10
(in the event of inclement weather, sessions will be held the following evening or on another evening that the courts are available. Always check your email on sketchy-weather nights and we will communicate makeups as soon as we can!)
WHAT TO BRING
Q1: WHERE DOES MY CHILD GO WHEN (S)HE ARRIVES?
A: You and your child should report to the white tent with the Spartan Tennis Logo on it to check in for each session. Your child will receive a name tag and be directed to our mini court area to warm up with some of our coaches and their friends.
Q2: WHY DO YOU HAVE THE CHILDREN WEAR NAME TAGS EACH TIME?
A: While it's a bit of a task to check everyone in and give out name tags, we feel an important part of making our camp a success is being able to connect with our participants. One way is by calling them by their first name. When Michael hears us say, "that's a great forehand, Michael!" it goes a lot further in making their experience a success than the generic, "great job". Thanks for your cooperation with this!
Q3: THIS DOESN'T LOOK LIKE TRADITIONAL TENNIS INSTRUCTION... WHAT'S WITH THE PARACHUTE?!
A: While we certainly don't look traditional there is still quality instruction taking place... with an emphasis on FUN and games! We want your child to have fun with a tennis racket in their hand. We want them smiling when they think of playing tennis. Yes, the giant rainbow parachute makes an appearance once in a while and the look on their faces says it all. They're having a blast! With just a few modifications, we follow USTA's recommended 10 and Under tennis curriculum. While we are not your traditional "stand-in-line-and-wait-your-turn" tennis camp, the instruction is certainly there. Visit netgeneration.usta.com to learn more about the format and why we (and the USTA) feel it's the right approach for kids who are 10 years old and younger. Everything is scaled down to size based on their age (racket, ball, court).
Q4: SHOULD I BUY A NEW RACKET FOR MY CHILD OR CAN (S)HE JUST USE THE OLD ONE FROM THE GARAGE?
A: Advancements in equipment have come a long way in the past 10+ years for rackets! If you choose to purchase a new racket for your child, please keep in mind the size chart below. 10 and under rackets are relatively inexpensive ($40 and under). In addition to the chart below, a good rule of thumb for sizing is to place the racquet next to your child's foot, have them stand tall with their hands at their sides and lean it against the outside of their leg. Their fingertips should be touching the racket. If you're not sure, your child can always borrow one of our appropriately sized rackets to get the correct fit before you purchase.
Our approach is FUN first with minimal wait time. While we do have a good number of campers in each session, our coach-to-camper ratio is very low due to the number of student-coaches we have on hand. Our junior coaches are varsity and collegiate-level athletes. They really enjoy giving back to a game they love and sharing their time and their talents with the children of our community! Former girls and boys varsity coach and camp director Geoff Leggieri and our girls JV coaches will be on-court leading activities at all times. Current boys and girls varsity players as well as collegiate players will be assisting the adult coaches.
Registration link: https://forms.gle/zbPUVpN57gg47cop7
Tally up fees and send registration payment to:
Venmo: @glegg
OR
check made to "Spartan Tennis".
Mail to:
SPARTAN TENNIS
1 MANNING RD
BALLSTON LAKE, NY 12019
QUICK FACTS AND FAQs
2024 Cost:
(no camp t-shirts will be provided for registrations received past 5/15/24)
- Attends/Resides in BH-BL district
- 1 Camp: $90 if received/post marked on or before 5/1/24, $100 after
- Both camps: $170 if received/post marked on or before 5/1/24, $190 after
- Out of BH-BL district
- 1 Camp: $100 if received/post marked on or before 5/1/24, $110 after
- Both camps: $190 if received/post marked on or before 5/1/24, $210 after
- 5:00-5:45p - Children currently (spring of 2024) in 4-year-old preschool, Kindergarten and 1st grade
- 5:45-6:30p - Children currently (spring of 2024) in 2nd and 3rd grade
- 6:30-7:15p - Children currently (spring of 2024) in 4th and 5th grade
- 7:15-8:00p - Children currently (spring of 2024) in 6th through 8th grade
CAMP 1: JUNE 17, 18, 19, 24, 26, 27
CAMP 2: JULY 1, 2, 3, 8. 9, 10
(in the event of inclement weather, sessions will be held the following evening or on another evening that the courts are available. Always check your email on sketchy-weather nights and we will communicate makeups as soon as we can!)
WHAT TO BRING
- water or another healthy drink
- sneakers (NO SANDALS, SLIDES or CROCS, etc)
- athletic clothing
- racket (We MAY have a limited number available on the first day to purchase ($25) and/or borrow. Supply issues are affecting this.). Scroll down for more information on how to get the proper racket fit for your child. We will also be able to fit your child at the camp.
- a great attitude!
Q1: WHERE DOES MY CHILD GO WHEN (S)HE ARRIVES?
A: You and your child should report to the white tent with the Spartan Tennis Logo on it to check in for each session. Your child will receive a name tag and be directed to our mini court area to warm up with some of our coaches and their friends.
Q2: WHY DO YOU HAVE THE CHILDREN WEAR NAME TAGS EACH TIME?
A: While it's a bit of a task to check everyone in and give out name tags, we feel an important part of making our camp a success is being able to connect with our participants. One way is by calling them by their first name. When Michael hears us say, "that's a great forehand, Michael!" it goes a lot further in making their experience a success than the generic, "great job". Thanks for your cooperation with this!
Q3: THIS DOESN'T LOOK LIKE TRADITIONAL TENNIS INSTRUCTION... WHAT'S WITH THE PARACHUTE?!
A: While we certainly don't look traditional there is still quality instruction taking place... with an emphasis on FUN and games! We want your child to have fun with a tennis racket in their hand. We want them smiling when they think of playing tennis. Yes, the giant rainbow parachute makes an appearance once in a while and the look on their faces says it all. They're having a blast! With just a few modifications, we follow USTA's recommended 10 and Under tennis curriculum. While we are not your traditional "stand-in-line-and-wait-your-turn" tennis camp, the instruction is certainly there. Visit netgeneration.usta.com to learn more about the format and why we (and the USTA) feel it's the right approach for kids who are 10 years old and younger. Everything is scaled down to size based on their age (racket, ball, court).
Q4: SHOULD I BUY A NEW RACKET FOR MY CHILD OR CAN (S)HE JUST USE THE OLD ONE FROM THE GARAGE?
A: Advancements in equipment have come a long way in the past 10+ years for rackets! If you choose to purchase a new racket for your child, please keep in mind the size chart below. 10 and under rackets are relatively inexpensive ($40 and under). In addition to the chart below, a good rule of thumb for sizing is to place the racquet next to your child's foot, have them stand tall with their hands at their sides and lean it against the outside of their leg. Their fingertips should be touching the racket. If you're not sure, your child can always borrow one of our appropriately sized rackets to get the correct fit before you purchase.
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Q5: WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THOSE RED, ORANGE AND GREEN BALLS YOU USE FOR THE K-5 CHILDREN; AND WHY THE DIFFERENT SIZED COURTS?
A: As part of USTA's 10 and Under Tennis curriculum, we use balls and court sizes that are age-appropriate. Kids 8 and under will generally use red felt or foam balls and will play on a 36' court (which is the width of a regulation court indicated by the red ball court below), while kids 10 and under will move to an orange felt ball and a 60' court (indicated by the orange ball court below). We were fortunate to be chosen as part of a grant from USTA to have our courts lined with 10 and Under blended lines! Green balls and yellow (traditional) balls are introduced once the child is playing on the full-sized adult court. Take a look below for color-coded diagram that should help explain. The balls are different compressions and sizes and designed to bounce at the appropriate height for your child to most-effectively learn the game. The smaller court size allows for smaller legs to cover the whole court and works in tandem with the lower bounce of the balls. Along with rackets, we will have 10 and Under Tennis balls for sale at the camp.
A: As part of USTA's 10 and Under Tennis curriculum, we use balls and court sizes that are age-appropriate. Kids 8 and under will generally use red felt or foam balls and will play on a 36' court (which is the width of a regulation court indicated by the red ball court below), while kids 10 and under will move to an orange felt ball and a 60' court (indicated by the orange ball court below). We were fortunate to be chosen as part of a grant from USTA to have our courts lined with 10 and Under blended lines! Green balls and yellow (traditional) balls are introduced once the child is playing on the full-sized adult court. Take a look below for color-coded diagram that should help explain. The balls are different compressions and sizes and designed to bounce at the appropriate height for your child to most-effectively learn the game. The smaller court size allows for smaller legs to cover the whole court and works in tandem with the lower bounce of the balls. Along with rackets, we will have 10 and Under Tennis balls for sale at the camp.
Q6: CAN WE COME EARLY OR STAY LATE?
A: Yes! Whether you have multiple children in different time slots or you would just like to get some extra time on the courts, we encourage you to come early and stay late. We want Spartan Tennis nights to be "KIDS NIGHTS" at the BH-BL courts! There are many courts to use at our facility and we do not always use all of them for instruction, especially during our first two sessions. Parents, bring a racket and play with your children... they'll have a ball and get better faster! If we need the courts for our groups, we'll be sure to let you know. :)
Q7: DOES MY CHILD NEED TO ATTEND ALL SESSIONS?
A: We encourage your child to attend all sessions in order to see maximum growth in skill development but we certainly understand that it's summer time! If your vacation plans take you away for a couple of session, we'll see you when you get back and they will be able to pick up where they left off!
Q8: DO YOU RUN YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL GROUP THE SAME WAY AS YOUR OTHER GROUPS?
A: In some respects, yes. We want to keep the FUN first and foremost in our instruction but at this age we move to a more traditional approach with more focus on proper form, skill development and match scoring and match play.
Q9: MY CHILD LOVES TENNIS! WHEN CAN (S)HE BEGIN PLAYING IN THE BH-BL INTERSCHOLASTIC TENNIS PROGRAM?
A: Great! BH-BL students can join the junior varsity team as early as 7th grade and we hope that they will! WE LOVE TO SEE OUR SPARTAN TENNIS CAMPERS JOIN OUR SCHOOL PROGRAMS!!! The school teams are a great goal for our campers to have as they move through the age groups in our camps. The Girls JV and Varsity tennis season starts in mid-late August (get those summer trips done by early August!) and continues through mid-October and the Boys JV and Varsity season begins in March and continues through mid-May. Announcements are made at the secondary schools regarding "interest meetings" that your child would attend to get information about the upcoming season (dates, expectations, etc.).
Both the boys and girls tennis programs are competitive in the area and celebrate many successes throughout their seasons! Check out their respective pages on this website by using the drop-down menus at the top of this page.
IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT SCHOOL TENNIS,
PLEASE EMAIL GEOFF LEGGIERI at [email protected].
A: Yes! Whether you have multiple children in different time slots or you would just like to get some extra time on the courts, we encourage you to come early and stay late. We want Spartan Tennis nights to be "KIDS NIGHTS" at the BH-BL courts! There are many courts to use at our facility and we do not always use all of them for instruction, especially during our first two sessions. Parents, bring a racket and play with your children... they'll have a ball and get better faster! If we need the courts for our groups, we'll be sure to let you know. :)
Q7: DOES MY CHILD NEED TO ATTEND ALL SESSIONS?
A: We encourage your child to attend all sessions in order to see maximum growth in skill development but we certainly understand that it's summer time! If your vacation plans take you away for a couple of session, we'll see you when you get back and they will be able to pick up where they left off!
Q8: DO YOU RUN YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL GROUP THE SAME WAY AS YOUR OTHER GROUPS?
A: In some respects, yes. We want to keep the FUN first and foremost in our instruction but at this age we move to a more traditional approach with more focus on proper form, skill development and match scoring and match play.
Q9: MY CHILD LOVES TENNIS! WHEN CAN (S)HE BEGIN PLAYING IN THE BH-BL INTERSCHOLASTIC TENNIS PROGRAM?
A: Great! BH-BL students can join the junior varsity team as early as 7th grade and we hope that they will! WE LOVE TO SEE OUR SPARTAN TENNIS CAMPERS JOIN OUR SCHOOL PROGRAMS!!! The school teams are a great goal for our campers to have as they move through the age groups in our camps. The Girls JV and Varsity tennis season starts in mid-late August (get those summer trips done by early August!) and continues through mid-October and the Boys JV and Varsity season begins in March and continues through mid-May. Announcements are made at the secondary schools regarding "interest meetings" that your child would attend to get information about the upcoming season (dates, expectations, etc.).
Both the boys and girls tennis programs are competitive in the area and celebrate many successes throughout their seasons! Check out their respective pages on this website by using the drop-down menus at the top of this page.
IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT SCHOOL TENNIS,
PLEASE EMAIL GEOFF LEGGIERI at [email protected].
COURTS FOR OUR SUMMER PROGRAMS ARE
LOCATED BEHIND THE BH-BL HIGH SCHOOL.
What people are saying about Spartan Tennis camp...
"Everyone at USTA Eastern has been excited about the success of the Spartan Tennis summer program! We consider this to be "textbook" 10 and Under tennis. Coach Leggieri, the Varsity players and volunteers give 110% to the camp and the enthusiasm for tennis on the part of the players and parents really shows! "
-Jenny Irwin, USTA Eastern
"I just wanted to reach out and thank you for a great June camp. It's one of the few camps/sports we've encountered that's just fun and a true learning experience for the kids. You have such a great way to teach them the necessary skills for tennis and you meet each player where they're at. My oldest didn't know anyone in her group which made me nervous but one of your coaches always made a point to go out to her and hit the ball with her and include her. It's just a great program all around- they look forward to it each year. Thanks for organizing it and providing such a special experience for them each time around. Your coaches were really great kids and such great role models for my girls."
Truly grateful,
-2022 camp parent
SPARTAN TENNIS and Coach Leggieri named
"Organizer of the Month" for May 2016 and July 2018 by USTA EASTERN!
Each month, USTA Eastern selects one passionate advocate who has made unique
contributions within the community through tennis. This month, we recognize a teacher
and coach whose spirit and enthusiasm rivals the famous Greek folklore that inspires
his work.
Organizer of the Month: July 2018
A dedicated physical education teacher and varsity tennis coach, Geoff Leggieri, of Burnt Hills, N.Y., is also the founder and director of Spartan Tennis, an instructional tennis program that is first and foremost all about fun. A core component of Spartan Tennis programming is the USTA youth tennis program called Junior Team Tennis (JTT), the format of which provides individual technical tennis skill and strategy development within a team-centered atmosphere. “JTT is great way for our kids to improve their match play while having fun supporting their friends,” said Leggieri. “We formed seven JTT teams this year and many of my players are members of their school’s Varsity and Junior Varsity Tennis Teams. It’s a great way for these kids to keep playing and practicing beyond the short middle and high school tennis seasons.”
Some of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Varsity tennis players also serve as coaches in the Spartan Tennis summer programming. It is a great opportunity for student athletes to get some experience while volunteering and interacting with kids. “Our coaches are engaging, enthusiastic, supportive and keep it fun,” said Leggieri. “We want kids to have a great time exploring and playing the sport.”
During the school year, Spartan Tennis provides interscholastic tennis training for middle school and high school players. This very successful program keeps school players competitive. Leggieri also uses this time to teach kids the historical principles of the sport that directly correlate to real life. Referred to as the Five Pillars, these character traits are a guiding influence for the kids of Spartan Tennis:
contributions within the community through tennis. This month, we recognize a teacher
and coach whose spirit and enthusiasm rivals the famous Greek folklore that inspires
his work.
Organizer of the Month: July 2018
A dedicated physical education teacher and varsity tennis coach, Geoff Leggieri, of Burnt Hills, N.Y., is also the founder and director of Spartan Tennis, an instructional tennis program that is first and foremost all about fun. A core component of Spartan Tennis programming is the USTA youth tennis program called Junior Team Tennis (JTT), the format of which provides individual technical tennis skill and strategy development within a team-centered atmosphere. “JTT is great way for our kids to improve their match play while having fun supporting their friends,” said Leggieri. “We formed seven JTT teams this year and many of my players are members of their school’s Varsity and Junior Varsity Tennis Teams. It’s a great way for these kids to keep playing and practicing beyond the short middle and high school tennis seasons.”
Some of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Varsity tennis players also serve as coaches in the Spartan Tennis summer programming. It is a great opportunity for student athletes to get some experience while volunteering and interacting with kids. “Our coaches are engaging, enthusiastic, supportive and keep it fun,” said Leggieri. “We want kids to have a great time exploring and playing the sport.”
During the school year, Spartan Tennis provides interscholastic tennis training for middle school and high school players. This very successful program keeps school players competitive. Leggieri also uses this time to teach kids the historical principles of the sport that directly correlate to real life. Referred to as the Five Pillars, these character traits are a guiding influence for the kids of Spartan Tennis:
- Being coachable (and receptive to constructive feedback)
- Being an outstanding teammate
- Showing gratitude
- Demonstrating sportsmanship
- Playing fearless
Organizer of the Month: May 2016
Geoff Leggieri, of Burnt Hills, N.Y., is a dedicated physical education teacher and varsity tennis coach. He was chosen as USTA Eastern’s Organizer of the Month for May as a result of his significant work with high school students as well as youth players.
In his ninth season as the boys’ varsity tennis coach at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, Leggieri has built a successful program which teaches student-athletes the importance of teamwork. In addition to varsity coaching, Leggieri is the founder and director of Spartan Tennis, an instructional tennis program for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
“The program started with around 75 participants in the summer of 2010 with kids ages five through eight,” Leggieri said. “We kept the price low year-after-year and now have about 125 kids each summer.”
Leggieri hosts Spartan Tennis with his junior varsity boys’ tennis coach Peter North along with several current and former varsity players.
“Some of the boys were trained in 10 and Under Tennis,” Leggieri said. “They really have excelled in coaching the kids. It is nice for them to continue to have a connection to the community through tennis.”
At Spartan Tennis, Leggieri and his team utilize USTA concepts to teach players of varying abilities during all summer and winter camps. Although Spartan Tennis does not have an official collaboration with other clubs in the area, the program connects participants to additional play opportunities at nearby YMCAs as well as Sportime Schenectady.
As a physical education teacher for 18 years at the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District, Leggieri has always felt it is important to incorporate tennis into the curriculum. For the past few years, the staff has set up 18-foot 10 and Under nets in the gym where students participated in a fun tennis unit using foam balls and smaller racquets.
“We, as a staff, believe that tennis is a great lifetime sport and feel it's important to allow our classes to learn about the game, the scoring and the fun that is waiting for them on a tennis court,” Leggieri said. “The eye-hand coordination, footwork and strategy involved really keep our students engaged!”
Geoff Leggieri, of Burnt Hills, N.Y., is a dedicated physical education teacher and varsity tennis coach. He was chosen as USTA Eastern’s Organizer of the Month for May as a result of his significant work with high school students as well as youth players.
In his ninth season as the boys’ varsity tennis coach at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, Leggieri has built a successful program which teaches student-athletes the importance of teamwork. In addition to varsity coaching, Leggieri is the founder and director of Spartan Tennis, an instructional tennis program for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
“The program started with around 75 participants in the summer of 2010 with kids ages five through eight,” Leggieri said. “We kept the price low year-after-year and now have about 125 kids each summer.”
Leggieri hosts Spartan Tennis with his junior varsity boys’ tennis coach Peter North along with several current and former varsity players.
“Some of the boys were trained in 10 and Under Tennis,” Leggieri said. “They really have excelled in coaching the kids. It is nice for them to continue to have a connection to the community through tennis.”
At Spartan Tennis, Leggieri and his team utilize USTA concepts to teach players of varying abilities during all summer and winter camps. Although Spartan Tennis does not have an official collaboration with other clubs in the area, the program connects participants to additional play opportunities at nearby YMCAs as well as Sportime Schenectady.
As a physical education teacher for 18 years at the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District, Leggieri has always felt it is important to incorporate tennis into the curriculum. For the past few years, the staff has set up 18-foot 10 and Under nets in the gym where students participated in a fun tennis unit using foam balls and smaller racquets.
“We, as a staff, believe that tennis is a great lifetime sport and feel it's important to allow our classes to learn about the game, the scoring and the fun that is waiting for them on a tennis court,” Leggieri said. “The eye-hand coordination, footwork and strategy involved really keep our students engaged!”