Hot Shots Tennis at North Ryde: The Stage-by-Stage Guide for Parents
Choosing the right starting point for a child's first tennis lessons can feel daunting, with age ranges, coloured balls and court sizes all sounding like their own language. At Tennis World North Ryde, the Hot Shots program gives you a clear staged pathway: every child starts where they're ready and moves up when their coach recommends the next step.
Hot Shots runs on the tennis courts in North Ryde at 16-18 Epping Road, part of the Ryde Multisport & Racquet Centre. This guide explains every stage, what each one costs per session, what to bring and how to book a free trial.
1Understand the Hot Shots pathway
Hot Shots is Tennis Australia's national kids tennis program, delivered at Tennis World North Ryde for children aged 3 to 12. It uses modified court sizes, age-appropriate racquets and lower-bouncing balls so children can play and rally from their very first lesson. The program is built in stages: early stages build coordination, motor skills and confidence, and later stages introduce rally consistency, match play tactics and competition preparation. You can read the national overview on the Tennis Australia Hot Shots page.
Instruction follows the Tennis Australia national Hot Shots framework. Paul Testoni, our Hot Shots Coordinator, holds Tennis Australia Junior Development Level 1 and Club Professional Level 2 qualifications and has worked for Sydney Sports Management Group since 2018.
2Find the right stage for your child
Start here: how old is your child?
Pick an age and we'll show the matching stage from our 2026 junior timetable.
Kinder
Kinder is for children from age 3. It supports fine and gross motor skills, balance and socialising with others, and parent participation is part of the program. Ask the team for current Kinder pricing on (02) 9888 7466.
FREE TRIALBlue stage (Launch Pad)
30-minute sessions at $29 per session. The foundation stage, packed with new skills and easy-to-learn techniques, with a big emphasis on fun.
FREE TRIALRed stage
60-minute sessions at $36 per session. Children build tennis skills and start exploring basic rally play on modified courts, using red balls and racquets sized for their age and ability.
FREE TRIALOrange stage
60-minute sessions at $40 per session. Singles and doubles with a 50% compression orange ball, focusing on tactics, consistency and competitive confidence.
FREE TRIALGreen stage
60-minute sessions at $40 per session. Green Ball 2 is the longer option, at 90 minutes for $46 per session.
FREE TRIALYellow stage
60-minute sessions at $44 per session. Ask the team about Ace Squad (90 minutes, $48 per session) and Super Squad on (02) 9888 7466.
FREE TRIALNot sure? Start with a free trial
Age is only a guide. Our coaches assess each child's ability and place them in the stage that fits best, whether they're brand new or have played before. You can also call (02) 9888 7466 and describe your child's experience.
FREE TRIAL| Stage | Ages | Session | Price per session | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinder | From age 3 | Ask the team | Ask the team | Fine and gross motor skills, balance and socialising. Parent participation is part of the program. |
| Blue (Launch Pad) | 4.5 to 5.5 | 30 min | $29 | The foundation stage, with new skills and a big emphasis on fun. |
| Red | 5.5 to 7.5 | 60 min | $36 | Basic rally play through game-based activities on modified courts, using red balls and 19 to 23 inch racquets. |
| Orange | 7.5 to 9.5 | 60 min | $40 | Singles and doubles on one of two court sizes with a 50% compression orange ball. Tactics, consistency and competitive confidence. |
| Green | 9.5 to 11.5 | 60 min | $40 | A later stage, where Hot Shots introduces rally consistency, match play tactics and competition preparation. |
| Green Ball 2 | As for Green | 90 min | $46 | The longer Green option. |
| Yellow | 11.5 and over | 60 min | $44 | A later stage focused on match play and competition preparation. Yellow ball players can join Hot Shots Challenge events. |
| Ace Squad | Ask the team | 90 min | $48 | A squad stage. Ask the team about suitability. |
| Super Squad | Ask the team | Ask the team | Ask the team | More focus on competition match play, how to construct points and drills. |
Prices correct as at October 2026. Classes run weekly and fees are charged per session. Ages come from our 2026 junior timetable. Tennis Australia's national guide groups ages slightly differently (Blue 3 to 5, Red 5 to 8, Orange 8 to 10, Green and Yellow 10 and over), so treat age as a guide and let the coach confirm your child's stage.
3Book a free trial
Every new family can start with a free trial lesson, which is a simple way to see whether your child enjoys the sport. There are plenty of options through the week, including weekends. Check the current junior timetable on our kids tennis page, then use the free lesson enquiry form or call (02) 9888 7466.
4What to expect on the day
Coaches confirm stage placement on the day. Arrive in comfortable sportswear with a water bottle and sunscreen. Parents are welcome to watch from the sidelines, and for Kinder sessions, parent participation is part of the program. Loan racquets are available for trial sessions, so there's nothing to buy before the first lesson. Our Kids Tennis Equipment Guide explains racquet sizes by stage.
5Enrol and set up direct debit
If the trial is a good fit, download the enrolment form from the kids tennis page. If you have an Active Kids voucher, email it to us before you submit the form so we can apply the $50 discount. Fees are charged per session by direct debit, and you complete a short direct debit form as part of sign-up, with no large upfront term payment. There are no minimum terms, so no lock-in or minimum lengths.
6Know what to bring
Included in class
- Coached group sessions in your child's Hot Shots stage
- Use of modified courts and age-appropriate equipment during sessions
- Ongoing stage progression assessment by our coaching team
Bring from home
- A tennis racquet sized to your child's stage once enrolled (our coaches can advise on sizing)
- Flat-soled, non-marking court shoes, because chunky-soled runners aren't suitable for court surfaces
- A labelled water bottle and sunscreen
One-on-one coaching is available separately through our private coaching program.
7Use your Active Kids voucher
NSW families can use an Active Kids voucher for a $50 discount on enrolment. Email your voucher to us before you register so we can apply it. Vouchers are available through Service NSW, where the program is now called Active and Creative Kids. Service NSW also sets the eligibility rules and expiry dates, so check them before you apply.
8The tennis courts in North Ryde where Hot Shots runs
Want a hit as a family outside class? Court bookings can be requested online through the booking page, for a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 2 hours. Racquet and ball hire is $5 per person. See the full list of facilities on our about page.
| Casual tennis court hire | Rate |
|---|---|
| Weekdays, 7am to 5pm | $34 per hour |
| Weekdays from 5pm, and all weekend | $40 per hour |
Common mistakes parents make
- Choosing by age alone. Age is a guide. Coaches assess your child's ability at enrolment and place them in the stage that fits best, whether they're brand new to tennis or have played before.
- Buying a racquet before checking the size. Racquets are sized to the stage (Red stage uses 19 to 23 inch racquets, for example). Ask the coaches before you buy.
- Skipping the free trial. Coaches confirm stage placement on the day, which makes a trial the simplest way to find the right stage.
- Sending the voucher too late. Email your Active Kids voucher before you register, so the $50 can be applied to your enrolment.
More for juniors and families
Hot Shots is one part of what we offer at North Ryde. See all of our options on the tennis coaching page, or explore these:
- School holiday camps: camps for children aged 4 to 14, with tennis in the morning and multi-sport games in the afternoon. All ability levels are welcome.
- Hot Shots Challenge: match play events for Red, Orange, Green and Yellow ball players to put their skills into practice.
- Private coaching: one-on-one lessons with a coach, available separately to your child's Hot Shots class.
- Kids Tennis Equipment Guide: racquet sizes, ball compression and shoes, broken down by age and Hot Shots stage.
- Birthday parties: weekend parties for kids aged 3 and over, with tennis and pickleball activities run by qualified coaches.
- Pickleball: court bookings and social sessions at the same centre.
- Adult group coaching: parents can play too. All levels are welcome, and new players get a free first session.
Quick pricing snapshot
| Program | Price |
|---|---|
| Free trial | No cost |
| Hot Shots (per session) | $29 to $48, Blue to Ace Squad (ask the team about Kinder and Super Squad) |
| Active Kids voucher | $50 off enrolment |
| Private coaching | See the private coaching page |
FAQ
What age can my child start Hot Shots?
From age 3, in our Kinder program. If your child can engage with group activities and follow basic instructions, they're ready to start. Parent participation is part of Kinder sessions.
How do I know which stage is right?
Our coaches assess each child at their first session and confirm the appropriate stage. If you'd like guidance before enrolling, call (02) 9888 7466 and describe your child's experience level.
Does my child need their own racquet?
Loan racquets are available for trial sessions. For ongoing classes, children need their own racquet suited to their age and stage, and our coaching team can advise on sizing.
Can my child move up a stage?
Yes. Stage progression is built into the program. Coaches monitor development each term and recommend advancement when your child is ready.
Is the Active Kids voucher accepted?
Yes. NSW Government Active Kids vouchers give eligible families $50 off. Email your voucher to us before you register. Vouchers are available through Service NSW.
What should my child wear and bring?
Comfortable sportswear and flat-soled, non-marking tennis shoes, plus a labelled water bottle and sunscreen.
How long are classes?
It depends on the stage: 30 minutes at Blue, 60 minutes at Red, Orange, Green and Yellow, and 90 minutes for Green Ball 2 and Ace Squad.
How are fees charged, and is there a lock-in?
Fees are charged per session by direct debit. You complete a short direct debit form when you enrol, with no large upfront term payment. There are no minimum terms, so no lock-in or minimum lengths.
What happens if my child misses a session?
Please call (02) 9888 7466 for details of our absence and make-up session policy.
Do you run school holiday camps?
Yes. Our school holiday camps are for children aged 4 to 14, with tennis in the morning and multi-sport games in the afternoon. All ability levels are welcome, and the camps page lists the next dates.
Next steps
Ready to get started? Book a FREE TRIAL session and our coaches will confirm your child's stage on the day. Want to know what gear to buy first? Our Kids Tennis Equipment Guide covers racquet sizes by stage. Prefer to talk it through? Call us on (02) 9888 7466.