Is my 3-year-old too young to start tennis?

No. Blue Ball is designed specifically for ages 3-5. Everything is scaled to little bodies — soft balls, short racquets, a low net, and games-based coaching — so even a first-timer can succeed and have fun in their first session.

Does my child need their own racquet?

Not to start. We provide age-appropriate racquets and balls for the trial and for sessions, so you can see whether your child enjoys it before buying anything.

How long is a Blue Ball session?

Blue Ball sessions are kept short to match a young child's attention span. Exact times for the current term are listed on the session schedule below.

What should my child wear?

Comfortable active clothing, a hat, sunscreen, and supportive shoes they can run in. Bring a labelled water bottle — Adelaide courts get warm.

Ages 3-5

Blue Ball Tennis Adelaide (Ages 3-5)

Blue Ball is where the very first steps on a tennis court happen. For three-to-five-year-olds, our Somerton Park sessions are built almost entirely around play — soft, slow blue balls, pint-sized racquets, and games that grow coordination and confidence without a child ever feeling like they are being "taught".

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What your child learns

At this age, tennis is movement, balance, and fun first. Sessions develop the fundamental motor skills every young athlete needs — running, stopping, throwing, catching, and tracking a moving ball — using the slowest, softest equipment in the Hot Shots pathway. Children learn to hold a racquet, make contact, and send a ball back over a low net, all through games rather than drills.

Just as importantly, Blue Ball builds the things that matter long before technique does: listening, taking turns, trying again after a miss, and the simple joy of being on court. Children who start here arrive at Red Ball already comfortable, coordinated, and keen.

How a session runs

Blue Ball sessions are short, high-energy, and tightly supervised, with a low coach-to-child ratio so every little one gets individual attention. We coach through feel, not formula — each child is read individually, and the games flex to match where they are on the day.

No equipment, no experience, and no tennis background is needed. Bring a hat, a water bottle, and shoes they can run in; we provide everything else.

Blue Ball sessions this term

Tue 3:45 PM – 4:15 PM
Tue Blue Ball
$15/session
Fri 3:45 PM – 4:15 PM
Fri Blue Ball
$15/session

From $15/session. Get Active Kids vouchers accepted — submit in-app after signup.

Frequently asked questions

Is my 3-year-old too young to start tennis?: No. Blue Ball is designed specifically for ages 3-5. Everything is scaled to little bodies — soft balls, short racquets, a low net, and games-based coaching — so even a first-timer can succeed and have fun in their first session.
Does my child need their own racquet?: Not to start. We provide age-appropriate racquets and balls for the trial and for sessions, so you can see whether your child enjoys it before buying anything.
How long is a Blue Ball session?: Blue Ball sessions are kept short to match a young child's attention span. Exact times for the current term are listed on the session schedule below.
What should my child wear?: Comfortable active clothing, a hat, sunscreen, and supportive shoes they can run in. Bring a labelled water bottle — Adelaide courts get warm.