Nina Brasington has been participating in Elon University’s tennis camp since she was 11 years old. Brasington is homeschooled, so one of the ways she can socialize with other children is through tennis.
“I love coming here and being on the courts again,” Brasington said.
The annual tennis summer camp is open to all children, no matter the level of expertis
e they might have. It was established by Elizabeth Anderson, head coach of Elon’s women’s tennis, team six years ago. Tennis camps existed previously at Elon. There are options for kids to participate for half a day, full day, or residentially.
“I just was really inspired and excited about leading a camp,” Anderson said. “That is I think where it kind of started and then it just sort of developed over the years.”
With the help of former assistant coach of Elon’s men’s tennis team, Bob Owens, Anderson said returning players and incoming freshmen help the camp run smoothly.
Counselors divide the students into different groups based on experience and help them improve their technique. In addition, the players also learn lessons that will help them beyond the court.
Anderson said that she has a degree in sports psychology, so she likes to tea
ch children
leadership skills based on what they did in the camp.
“I’ve learned independence, especially when you are playing in singles,” Brasington said. “You have to learn to just be dependent on yourself.”
Owens said he and the other coaches all want the kids have an enjoyable experience.
“We want the kids to have a good time,” Owens said. “Obviously we want to improve their skill level while they are here and do it in a way that they have a lot of fun.”
For Olivia Leonard, a camp counselor, the staff is not only focused on perfecting the players’ techniques. Counselors also want the kids to find a new love for tennis. The kids get to meet other children their age who have a similar passion for the sport. Some children, like Brasington, continue to return because they love the camp’s environment.
And for Owens, the camp has become a part of his life.
“My best memory is knowing that Elon’s tennis camp helped raise our children,” Owens said. “It gave them the kind of values we want them to have and understand the importance of making connections.”
The Tennis Academy is more than just giving children their daily dose of Vitamin D. Instead, children can make friends, practice their passion and learn values that will last a lifetime.
“Hopefully they can enjoy it when they are young and then it continues on for the rest of their lives,” Leonard said.
Lilliana Molina is from Tampa, Florida, where she attends Leto High School. She enjoys going to the beach and creating collages. She’s also an active leader in her school community as the newly elected president of the National Honor Society, a member of Leadership, and founder of her school's book club. Lilly is the co-founder of a podcast where her and her co-host give high schoolers advice on how to excel in school.
Everett Joyner III was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and was raised across America because of his parents’ military service. He developed a passion for digital media in middle school and was accepted into the Richland Northeast High School Convergence Media Program. Everett is an award-winning sports editor for RNE TV. He also earned an honorable mention in the C-SPAN 2022 StudentCam Competition, second place in the 2021 South Carolina Scholastic Press Association Sports Story competition and honorable mention in the 2021 National Scholastic Press Association Broadcast Story of the Year – Broadcast Sports Story competition. Everett was selected to serve as an RNE Teacher Cadet for the 2022-2023 academic year. After high school, he plans to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
