Tennis can be lifelong sport, USTA professional Don Thomas says. With the help of a crew of volunteers, he helped give more than two-dozen area youths a head start last week.

Thomas and 10 helpers hosted the Sequim Youth Tennis Academy, held from 8:30 a.m.-noon July 6-10 at the Sequim High School courts. Thomas hand-picked the group of 32 players, each of whom had at least some tennis experience.

“Overall, the tennis academy was a very good thing for the kids,” Thomas said. “We didn’t take beginners. We wanted kids who could hit the ball. Trying to get kids to the next level that was the whole idea here.”

This program consisted of lectures, fitness training, stroke technique, strategy training and play. It included talks about importance of dynamic/static stretching and warming up, explanations of court safety and sportsmanship, a series of daily drills (Tag Team Singles, Champion of the Court, One Ball Live, Triples, etc.), “class” presentations regarding topics such as diet/nutrition, the history of tennis, singles strategy, mental preparation and more, plus T-shirts, snacks and medals.

Thomas has developed a tennis ladder for use the rest of the summer months, so that area youths can challenge each other in matches.

“The way to get to the next level is playing,” Thomas said.

Because of several sponsors, Thomas said, the academy was free for all 32 players. Sponsors included: Sequim Valley Orthodontics, Extreme Builders, Inc., Lam’s Paradise Restaurant, Virginia Shogren Attorney at Law, Wiker and Wiker Construction, Terry Parks, Caryn Little, Don and Charlotte Hudson, Ellen Bartee, Bell Creek Bar & Grill, Dr. Pam Bundy, www.realestateinsequim.com and the LaCour family.