Williams will work with kids age 4 to 14, teaching important fundamentals.

 

“We’ll work on forehand and backhand, serves and get some volleys in there,” he said. “These kids aren’t in high school yet, so just holding a racket and learning to play puts them at a good advantage going into high school tennis.”

 

Williams said though he focuses on teaching important fundamentals, it’s also a goal to give participants an enjoyable experience.

 

“I try to make sure it’s fun for kids, too, so they’re not just learning lessons, but actually having fun,” he said. “I’ve played so much tennis and I still find it very fun.”

 

Kids age 4-7 will meet from 3-4 p.m.; 8-10 year-olds from 4-5 p.m. and 11-14 year-olds from 5-6 p.m. Cost is $40 per child. Register at the Benedum Civic Center on West Main Street or call 304-842-8240. 

Tennis, Williams said, is a great sport.

 

“It’s great for fitness. If you watch matches on TV, you see people playing for five to six hours; their fitness level comparing to marathon runners,” he said.

 

The sport is also great for coordination and, like golf, is a lifetime sport, he said.

Williams didn’t pick up a tennis racket until his sophomore year of high school, yet as a senior he advanced all the way to the state quarterfinals in seed one singles, representing then Class AAA Bridgeport High School.

 

To gain valuable experience necessary to climb to that level, Williams said he had to play a lot of tennis to catch up with the competition level of those who had played since they were kids. An avid believer in learning the fundamentals early, Williams represents the United States Tennis Association.

 

 “When people have been playing for a long time, it’s almost effortless,” said Williams, a 2010 BHS graduate, who went on to become a member of the tennis team at Fairmont State, where he obtained a degree in business administration.