Interview with Joel Lavenson, Director of Maine Golf and Tennis Academy

Tell me please about your Maine Golf and Tennis Academy. What is difference from others tennis academies?  

The Maine Golf and Tennis Academy is owner operated and directed and has been providing a quality summer camp experience for over 100 years. We train our students on four different courts indoor, hard, clay, and beach which works great for developing hand eye coordination. Our four week training program provides our students with  an task specific cross training approach that includes several on-site activities that help students set goals, develop good habits, a strong work ethic, enjoyment for the game, persistence , and other skills that will help them compete.

We offer a high level of instruction from coaches that run their own tennis academies around the globe including high-profile coaches such as Tony Palafox who helped John McEnroe reached number one in the world. We are always striving to maintain the best Junior Tennis Camp and Junior Tennis Program in America, for boys and girls ages 8 – 17. We emphasize safety, fun, excellence and personal attention for our young tennis players.

There are a lot of tennis academies in America. But only a few good world class junior tennis players are developed in these academies. Why? What do you think about that?

The truth of the matter is there are only a few world class tennis players and many players do not have the level of dedication and devotion to achieve world class status, and that’s okay. At our tennis academy, we encourage tennis players to use their personalized tennis experience to help them develop all aspects of their lives including social, psychological, spiritual, and professional.

Do you have a selection process at Maine Golf and Tennis Academy or accept everybody?

We have a selection process for the advanced players who must be nominated –though we invite all aspiring tennis players to come to the Maine Golf and Tennis Academy to learn to play the game properly and develop other life skills that will help them succeed and excel. Levels Include:
Beginner Tennis: Picking up ta tennis racquet for the first time? You’ve come to the right place. Typically this young camper has not played many tennis matches or even full sets. For our Jr. Age we offer the Quick Start Program – Where is the official USTA training system for 10 and under! Jr. Ages 8-10, Sr. Ages 11-17

Tennis Lite:    This program provides the same quality tennis instruction and program, but instruction only a few times a week. The rest of the time is a fun balance of all our camp activities in Maine, but the program does not include inter-camp or intra-camp tennis camp competition. Jr. Ages 8-12, Sr. Ages 13-17

Intermediate Level Tennis:    This level tennis player has played matches and knows that he or she needs more top level instruction and time in a good tennis program to carry them to the next level of their tennis game. Jr. Ages 8-10, Sr. Ages 11-17
Advanced Tennis: This level tennis player arrives at camp with aspirations of playing on their high school team, is playing on their high school team and wants to play tennis at a higher level. Nomination Required from a Coach, Pro or Teacher. Jr. Ages 10-12, Sr. Ages 13-17

Elite Tennis Tournament Travel Team: At this level, the teenage tennis player has competed, trained and been exposed to a high level of tennis competition. Special unique tennis training for these campers includes an introduction to collegiate tennis at one of the world’s most prestigious colleges, Harvard University. Nomination Required from Coach, Pro or Teacher. Ages 13-17

What about your tennis coaches? Who are they and how they train?

We are always striving to maintain the best Junior Tennis Camp and Junior Tennis Program in America, for boys and girls ages 8 – 17. We emphasize safety, fun, excellence and personal attention for our young tennis players. Our Professional USPTA Coaches, USPTR Coaches, Division I College Tennis Coaches and Staff are carefully picked for their love of teaching and their inspirational approach. It is not a “one-method-for-every-kid” approach.

Our summer tennis camp staff utilizes time-proven techniques that encourage individual improvement while still enjoying tennis by applying solid tennis fundamentals customized to the child’s unique physical capabilities, talent and interest of  tennis.

There is my traditional question. Can you please give your three advice to junior tennis players, parents and coaches?

If you make tennis fun and enjoyable, players become more dedicated and devoted which will help them achieve personal greatness and a love for the game of tennis.

Thank you for the interesting interview, Joel. Good luck to you!