Over its 11-year-history, Five Seasons Family Sports Club in Northbrook has produced more than 40 collegiate tennis athletes and hundreds of nationally ranked, Midwest-ranked and high school team players.

That strong tradition has made the club one of the most respected training sites for up-and-coming tennis players.

During the week of Sept. 10, the club at 1300 Techny Road is hosting three open houses for parents of youngsters interested in pursuing the sport.

On Monday, Sept. 10 (7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.), as well as on two subsequent evenings—Wednesday, Sept. 12 and Thursday, Sept. 13 (6 p.m. to 7 p.m. both nights), parents are invited to the club to learn specifics about the Five Seasons 10-and-Under tennis program.

The sessions are geared primarily toward parents of children enrolled in the club’s Quick Start program. However, other parents are also welcome to attend the sessions.

“Tennis is truly a sport of a lifetime,” says Chris Sheldon, the club’s director of racquet sports. “You can pick it up as a toddler and keep playing well into your retirement years. We are always glad to answer questions that parents may
have and see what’s the best fit for their children.”

Topics to be covered at the Open Houses include skill sets to be taught, the philosophy behind smaller-scale equipment that children use and opportunities to participate in events and tournaments. The Five Seasons junior tennis pathway will also be discussed to address whatever tennis goals a child may have.

The focus of the 10-and-under tennis program is on hand-eye coordination, basic strokes, racquet skills, rallying and match play on a 36-foot or 60-foot court with low-compression balls, Sheldon said.

"Juniors who play here do so with appropriately sized equipment and courts,” she noted. “As a result, juniors learn advanced tennis skills at an early age.”

Children ages 3 to 7 are invited to participate as non-members in junior tennis lessons held at the club. Children ages 8 and up must be members of Five Seasons to participate in classes. Additional class listings for this age group are available at the club.

For more information, please contact Mary Melton, the club’s Director of Early Childhood Development, at 847-897-5030.

Five Seasons is online at www.facebook.com/FiveSeasonsNorthbrook.