photo by Hannah Reel

Shaneka Ford, 12, tries to line up her volley so that the ball hits one of the toys laying on the court during her last day of tennis lessons with Henry Harris at Duncan Park Wednesday afternoon. It was the third consecutive year for Harris to give summer tennis lessons at Duncan Park.

Duncan Park summer tennis program wraps up

By Jeff Edwards (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Friday, July 17, 2009

NATCHEZ — The classes might have been a little smaller, but Duncan Park Tennis Director Henry Harris said the summer tennis program at Duncan Park was better than ever.

The program wrapped up on Wednesday, and Harris said the number of kids who participated were less than in years past.

“This year we fell off to about 68 kids,” Harris said. “The first year we had 89 and then last year we had 99. I guess with the economy as crazy as it is, some people couldn’t do it.”

However, despite the low turnout, Harris said it was still a successful summer.

“We got to teach a lot of kids at just about every elementary school in the area,” Harris said. “Our youngest was 3, and our oldest was 17, so there was a wide variety.”

And Harris said the goal of the camp is to get kids ready to play tennis in junior high or high school.

“We had some that were here for their third year,” Harris said. “They’re now in junior high or high school and on their school team. That’s what our goal is, to get kids ready for high school.”

And while the summer tennis program at Duncan Park has wrapped up, there is still lots of tennis to be played.

Harris is taking a group of youngsters to Dallas this weekend for a National Junior Tennis League tournament and seminar.

Two of Harris’ students, Mark Iles and Dwain Perkins, are playing in a singles tournament, while about 15 others will take part in the seminar.

Iles will be competing in 12-year-old singles while Perkins will be competing in 16-year-old singles.

The NJTL class is for beginners. It teaches the basics of tennis to those just learning the ropes, Harris said.

“It shows them what tennis is all about, but it’s fun too,” Harris said. “For the kids who are going, they can improve and show off their skills.”

Harris said he hopes to take groups of youngsters to even more tournaments around the Southeast next year.

“Hopefully next year we’ll be able to go to more sites,” Harris said. “I’ve got buddies all over the United States. Hopefully, we’ll get to go to some more places and give the kids more places to play.”