Practice Sessions

Improve your game

Wednesday Nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in 2017.

In 2017, the program will switch from Tuesday nights (8 p.m. to 10 p.m.) to Wednesday nights (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.).

The UQ Tennis Club's long-running Practice Program finished on 1 March, 2017.

As of 8 March, 2017, the UQ Sport Tennis Centre will be running a Practice Program on Wednesday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Check-in and payment for the UQ Sport Tennis Centre's Practice Program will be at the Tennis Centre Pro Shop.

The session fees will be:
$10 for UQ Students
$12 for UQ Staff, UQ Alumni and UQ Tennis Club Members who are not UQ Students
$15 for all others

The main focus of the Program will continue to be the opportunity to hit lots of Tennis balls.

The Practice Program was launched by the Tennis Club in April 2007 as a 6-week trial that ended up running for 10 years because of the demand. The idea was to provide an easy avenue for people learning the game to get out and improve by hitting lots of balls.  Although the main aim was to complement the Tennis Centre's Coaching Programs, the Practice Program also gave players of all levels the opportunity to come along and practice particular shots or regain their confidence after a lay-off.

Regular Practice Program participants should come and try out the new Practice Program when it launches on 8 March.

What is provided?
Balls, courts and a program designed to help you improve your skills. The program may use ball machines.

What will I practice?
Drills will be run on different courts, covering all aspects of the game including backhand, forehand, volley, serve and overhead.

What is the cost?
As of 8 March, the fees per session will be:
$10 for UQ Students
$12 for UQ Staff, UQ Alumni and UQ Tennis Club Members who are not UQ Students
$15 per for all others

Parking?

Unfortunately, parking is not free on the UQ St Lucia Campus on weekdays.
Parking charges apply until 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday.  Parking inspectors come round most nights, usually around 8:30 p.m.
Parking costs $5 per day (or part thereof) along Sir William Macgregor Drive or $2.50 per hour along Blair Dr or in the UQ Centre carpark (near the swimming pool).
Fines are $55 (for parking in a designated parking area without a permit) or $110 for parking in a non-parking area (such as on yellow lines).  The University pursues unpaid parking fines through the courts.
A good option for regular players is an Off-Peak Annual Parking Permit which costs $91. The application form can be found here.

Do I have to pre-register?
No. Just check in on the night, in the Pro Shop (from 8 March onwards).

Can I come late or leave early? 

Yes, but the cost will still be $10, $12 or $15.

Will coaching be provided?
There will be no specific coaching sessions, but the coaches will be be able to give tips and advice. The UQ Tennis Centre Pro Shop has some great private and group coaching programs (Phone 3365 6933, E-mail tennis@uqsport.com.au).

The aim of this program is to put into practice what you have learnt from coaching.

Why come along?

It’s a chance to work on that shot that has always troubled you or regain some confidence after a lay-off. This is a great opportunity to experiment and challenge yourself to become a better player without the pressure of playing Fixtures.