Junior groups begin the week of Monday, September 15, 2008, unless otherwise noted, and end Thursday, May 14, 2009*.  Junior groups are categorized by skill level (View junior skill level guide.)  Within each level, classes are listed in order by age and then day of the week.  Groups that take place at East Club are followed by (E) next to the group name. 

   The following junior groups require a Special Junior Group membership: groups that are held prior to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, all 45-minute groups, and special promotional groups that are held Monday through Friday.  IRC has the right to cancel any group or to adjust the time and/or level of a group, if necessary.  Children must be at least 4 years of age to participate in any of the groups offered at IRC.

Junior Group Policies

1. Membership is required for coached groups offered unless otherwise indicated.

2. Your IRC club account must be current (all past due balances must be paid in full).

3. Registration for groups must be made through the club office.

4. Upon signing up for a group, your club account will be charged, with 50% of that balance due 25 days after the first billing.  The remaining 50% is due by February 1, 2009.

5. Cancellations will result in a $25.00 cancellation fee.

6. Credits will be issued as of the date you contact the IRC Business Office to cancel.

7. There will be no credits/refunds given for any cancellations after March 1, 2009, with the exception of IHSAA-authorized high school girls' team members.

8. Credits will not be given for absences.

9. If, after signing up for a group, you decide to switch to a different group, you will be charged a $10.00 fee.

10. IRC professionals may make changes in any group and move players from one group to another. 

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Mission Statement

   The Indianapolis Racquet Club is committed to the advancement of junior tennis by encouraging excellence, discipline, and the personal development of each player.

Program Goals

   The Indianapolis Racquet Club will:

• Provide systematic opportunities for players to participate in tennis and reach their highest potential.
• Provide extensive junior programs for all ages and skill levels.
• Maintain a high-level coaching staff who can serve as role models.
• Offer consistency and same philosophy coaching among staff.
• Encourage continuing education among coaching staff with attendance at national and international seminars to stay current with latest teaching methods.
• Take a holistic approach to player development emphasizing the development of life skills along with tennis skills.
• Strive to build a player's total athletic development including fitness, nutrition, and mental toughness on and off the court.
• Have coaches emphasize academic excellence and encourage and track student's success inside and outside of the club.
• Provide a multitude of tournament opportunities for players to compete and build mental toughness on and off the court.
• Offer two to three sanctioned, professionally-run tournaments per month.
• Build a tradition of excellence and discipline within the sport through consistency in quality staff and continuity within our junior programs.
• Demand sportsmanship and etiquette on and off the court.

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Competitive Junior Players Program

	2008-2009 Program Sessions
	The Competitive Junior Players Program provides long-term, intensive training in conjunction with Midwest tournament play and offers tournament travel for young players with high aspirations.  Participants in the Competitive Junior Players Program include numerous Midwest and nationally-ranked boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 18.  During the Fall/Winter season, groups of Competitive Junior Players meet at both IRC clubs (Dean Road and East Club) as listed on the schedule.  The program staff offer continuity of training during the summer months with the "Washington Township" Program held at North Central High School. Previous sanctioned tournament experience is a pre-requisite for admission into the program.  All admissions into the Competitive Junior Players Program must be approved by the head coaches for each of the separate levels of play; the IRC Members Services Office will be of assistance.  Ed Brune, IRC's tennis director, will serve as the program coordinator.  If you have general questions regarding the program, please call the Member Services Office at Dean Road (317) 849-2531 or East Club (317) 545-2228.
	Registration: Please call the Member Services Office at (317) 849-2531.
	Alternate Opportunity: Tim Samons offers a level 4/5 High School Boys group on Thursdays and a level 5/6 High School Boys group on Tuesdays.

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2008-09 Sanctioned Tournaments at IRC

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1. Play tennis with your child and have FUN.  Do not force your child to play.

2. Be supportive and let them make mistakes.  Reward your child for effort and not just winning.

3. Be an example of good sportsmanship on and off the court.  Say only positive things about your child's opponents.

4. If your child asks for advice, keep it positive - have them look forward to the next time they play.  Be supportive in both victory and defeat.

5. Parents need to know their child's drive/passion for the sport in order to set realistic goals for them.  Motivation must be internal for them to succeed.

6. Don't be their tennis coach - trust their coach and be supportive of their coach.  Let the coach do the instructing.

7. Develop a positive coach/parent relationship.  Sit down with your child's coach and develop a game plan for your child together.

8. You don't always have to be there - let your child play on their own sometimes and encourage independence.

9. Make your child be responsible for themselves - tournament check-in, taking care of their own equipment, keeping track of scores and match times, etc.  Again, encourage independence.

10. Don't be too concerned with rankings at an early age.  Let your child develop their long-term goals for success.                                                                                     

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