For the second year, children from the Boys and Girls Club of Wareham and other local youngsters will be offered free tennis lessons on a space available basis.

Joanne Byron, local resident and professional tennis instructor at Wayside Racquet and Swim Club in Marlboro will be directing the program.

The six week program includes basic training leading to game play and culminating in a mini-tennis tournament. Byron and her tennis staff will be using technique and guidelines that inspired so many youngsters to play tennis while teaching at the Ron Burton Training Village, a camp for disadvantaged inner city youth founded by the late New England Patriot, Ron Burton. The camp focuses on self-esteem, self-reliance, respect for others and racial harmony.

“Last summer, the kids were enthusiastic and highly motivated throughout the program. It was a joy to see them develop tennis skills, good sportsmanship and a love of the game,” said Barbara Sullivan, Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Wareham.

The highlight of the tennis program is the tournament which will take place August 15. The camper who wins the competition is awarded a new top-of-the-line Prince Tennis racquet, generously donated by the New Jersey-based, Prince Sports, Inc. Prince Sports, Inc. has been donating Prince racquets not only for the Wareham Boys and Girls Club, but also for the Ron Burton Training Village Tennis Camp.

Boys and Girls, ages 9-13 are invited to participate in this six-week tennis program, two days a week of fun, learning and playing which covers every aspect of the sport. The program runs on Mondays and Wednesdays, beginning July 11, from about 2 pm to 4 pm. Ages 9 and 10, meet from 2 to 3 pm and those 10 to 13, meet from 3 pm to 4 pm.

Byron and her group are looking for more local residents to get involved with the tennis camp by donating money, racquets, balls, bottled water or their time to the camp.

For more information, please contact Barbara Sullivan, Unit Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Wareham at (508) 295-5400 or sullivanbgc@comcast.net or Joanne Byron, Tennis Director at (508) 295-1157.