The free tennis program, now in its second summer at the Wareham Boys and Girls Club, is a hit among area children.

Tennis instructor Joanne Byron said she is pleased with the progress the children are making.

"Our tennis instructors are doing a fabulous job!" Byron said. "The children are so positive and they seem to be having a good time developing their tennis skills and learning about good sportsmanship."

Boys and Girls Club director Barbara Sullivan is helping the tennis staff make the program run smoothly. The six-week program started on July 11. Two age-groups participate: Ages 9-10 and ages 11-13.

A tournament will take place on August 15. The winner in both age groups will be awarded a new top-of-the-line Prince tennis racquet, donated by New Jersey-based Prince Sports, Inc.

Staff members are looking for volunteers, either parents or high school students, to help retrieve tennis balls during the program, which meets on Mondays and Wednesdays at 2 p.m. an 3 p.m. for ages 9-10 and 11-13, respectively.

The tennis staff is made up of "Tennis All Stars," members from the Sippican Tennis Club and tennis players from Wareham and Rochester.

The volunteers are: Jim Roberts from Wayside Racquet and Swim Club in Marlborough, Dr. Milton Weiner, who takes vacation time from Worcester Medical to assist the program, Olivia and Abby Offringa, Connie Heacox, Steve Ford, and Doug Geist.

Gail Offringa and Susan Sattelmair - who have been teaching with Byron for at least ten years - also volunteer, along with Sharon Titcomb, Dede Smith and Sue Wood from Sippican Tennis Club.