Tennis camp stresses fun, fundamentals
Doug Failla is a busy man this summer. The boys and girls varsity tennis coach at Ramona High is as much of an ambassador for the sport as he is a coach and professional.
Failla, a certified tennis professional in the United States Professional Tennis Association, is the tennis professional at Riviera Oaks Resort and Racquet Club in San Diego Country Estates in Ramona. He also runs tennis camps and tournaments during his spare time.
Failla is in the fourth of five weeks of conducting summer tennis camps. He has been running morning camps from 9 to 11 a.m. and evening camps from 6 to 8 p.m.
It doesn’t take a tennis aficionado to appreciate one of Failla’s sessions. He has campers from ages 5 to 17 of all skills levels. He starts each session with a sincere welcome, stretching and warm-ups, and some games. He stresses fun, fundamentals and sportsmanship.
“I only have three rules for my varsity tennis teams: Have a good attitude. Communicate. Try to do your best,” said Failla. “I have the same philosophy in camps. A good attitude usually produces a good time. Let me know what I can do for you and if you try your best you will learn and improve. “
After warm-ups the campers work on drills, demonstrations and practice strokes. After the skills session the campers put to work their newly improved skills in competitive play in singles and doubles.
The session ends with some physical conditioning and review. On very hot mornings the physical conditioning can be a water balloon fight. Remember fun and fundamentals.
Failla’s last camp session will run from July 19 to 23. On July 24 the ambassador will be the tournament director for the Riviera Oaks Resort Summer Junior Novice Tennis Tournament. It is a U.S. Tennis Association-sanctioned event.
The event is for boys and girls ranging in age from 8 to 18. There are six age divisions. Matches will start at 8 am and some of the matches will be played under the lights.
The deadline for entering is July 16. Call 760-788-3418 for more information. Call 760-420-4411 for information about the remaining camp. Daily or weekly sessions are available.
Riviera Oaks was awarded the 2010 Club of the Year by the San Diego District Tennis Association, so it’s considered a great venue for camps and tournaments. Accommodations are available for the tournament.
After the Summer Junior Novice Tennis Tournament, Failla will join his athletes and enjoy the two week “CIF Dead Period.”
He will then get ready for girls tennis tryouts, which will begin on Aug. 16 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Riviera Oaks Resort.
“All athletes must have a ticket to play to try out,” said Failla.
For information about the ticket to play, see page 13 or contact Ramona High School.