Annual tennis camp provides more than just games
GLENDALE — Taking a break from coaching the St. Francis High and Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy tennis teams, Ron Zambrano has some time to work with campers at the National Junior Tennis Learning/Los Angeles 84\United States Tennis Assn. Camp at Scholl Canyon Tennis Center.
It’s a six-week course that’s dear to Zambrano, a professional at Scholl.
“We started the camp in 2009 and it’s always a fun time of year to be able to work with the different kids and see them improve,” Zambrano said. “The first day is always emotional for me because I see a lot of people coming back who want to get better and you see them growing up. The last day of the camp is where we give them a certificate and you can tell they had a lot of fun. You hope to see them again next year.”
Fifty-three campers received their course certification Thursday, the final day of the event. The camp, geared for ages 6-14, attracted residents mostly from Glendale, La Crescenta and Montrose.
The event was sponsored by the LA84 Foundation in conjunction with the Southern California Tennis Assn. and the National Junior Tennis League. The camp was one of about 150 held during the summer around Los Angeles.
Zambrano and several assistants worked with the athletes on a series of drills, ranging from serving to returning forehand and backhand shots and agility.
Also, the campers were given a racket and T-shirt, provided for a fee of just $10. Zambrano said the cost is subsidized mostly from funds from the LA84 Foundation, which has been providing funding for various athletic programs with profits from the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
The Glendale-based camp was previously held at Glendale High and Fremont Tennis Center before moving to Scholl in 2016.
“It’s about trying to continue promoting tennis and having them get out there to learn,” said Zambrano, a former All-Area Girls’ Tennis Coach of the Year. “We want to try to keep the program going. Why not?
“We usually start the day with a running drill that takes place on the court and then we go through the different drills and explain why they are so important to keep doing.”
Reggie Perry, a lifelong Glendale resident, was instrumental in first bringing the camp to the area.
“We started it at Glendale High and we had maybe 20-30 kids show up,” Perry said. “But, it’s continued to grow and the kids are always coming back to learn from Ron.
“We sold out this camp a couple of days after registration began. We’re grateful for what the LA84 Foundation has dome for all of these years. They’ve done so much for all of the sports, including tennis.”
Erik Sarkissian, a Glendale resident who attends Toll Middle School, attended the camp for the sixth straight year.
“It gives you an opportunity to learn more about the sport and a chance to meet other people,” Sarkissian, 13, said. “I like to play video games, but it’s a great to be out on the court and seeing progress being made.”
Glendale resident Vera Garabedian, 9, made her second straight camp appearance.
“Coach Zambrano teaches you a lot,” said Garabedian, who is a student at Monte Vista Elementary School. “I came back so I could work on my forehand and I would like to come back and learn more next year.”
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
