Some Rail City youth are getting introduced to the game of tennis at an early age. The Sparks Parks and Recreation Department is doing its part to make sure of that.

Sparks Parks and Rec. is offering ‘Pee Wee Tennis’ to local four and five year olds this summer. The first of a pair of two-week sessions wrapped up Thursday at Pah Rah Park. Each session is comprised of four 45-minute classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“The whole philosophy is just to expose kids to tennis in a really fun way,” said Mark Humes, who teaches the sessions for the city. “All the equipment is scaled down to the kids’ size. The tennis balls are bigger so they can feel successful and have fun. That’s the most important thing.”

Humes is a United States Professional Tennis Association certified teacher. He said the ‘Pee Wee’ tennis program is modeled after his association’s youth tennis program. He uses the same curriculum.

In addition to teaching tennis for Sparks Parks and Rec., Humes also runs a mobile youth tennis program in which he goes to Sparks-Reno area preschools and day cares to expose kids to the game. Imagination Station in east Sparks is one of the local agencies to offer Humes’ program.

While Humes is teaching two ‘Pee Wee Tennis’ sessions this summer, he also teaches five sessions of youth tennis lessons for kids ages 6-17 through Sparks Parks and Rec.

“I love doing it,” he said. “This is my fourth year, fourth summer. I’m the only tennis instructor for the city of Sparks. It’s nice to be able to offer the program through the City of Sparks. Then the community can sign up and take the classes or the junior programs. I enjoy it. The city gives me some freedom.

“One of the main things I enjoy is teaching and seeing the kids enjoy it and be successful. Tennis is such a great lifetime sport. I think when they are young kids is the perfect time to start them.”

Humes says he has gotten good feedback from parents in the program. He says he’s heard numerous times that the hand-eye coordination learned in tennis has been beneficial for kids as they try all kinds of sports.

The long-time tennis instructor likes that the popularity of the city’s summer program has grown, but more importantly he just likes seeing kids getting involved in athletics at a young age.

“We have kind of built the summer lessons up with more sessions each year. That’s a good thing,” Humes said. “Sports keep the kids focused and keep the kids motivated. Plus, they get out with other kids playing sports and it keeps them out of trouble.”

Information on the city of Sparks Parks and Recreation Department’s tennis lessons and other summer programs are available online at: www.ci.sparks.nv.us/living/parks_rec