Stages Guide
Kids Tennis Stages Explained: Kinder Tennis to Squad
From Kinder Tennis to Ace & Super Squads, here's what actually happens at every stage of our junior program.
If you've looked at our class schedule and seen names like Kinder Tennis, Launch Pad, and Yellow Stage and weren't quite sure what separates one from the next, you're not alone. This guide walks through every stage in our junior program, in plain language, so you know roughly what to expect at each level and how kids move between them.
How progression works
The short version: there's no fixed age cutoff that automatically bumps a child up a level. Children move through the stages at a pace that suits them, with our coaches tracking progress each term and recommending advancement when a child is ready. A new player's first session is used to assess where they should start. The one exception is Ace & Super Squads, which is for ages 11 and up.
If you're specifically trying to work out what age your child should start at all, our guide to what age kids should start tennis covers that question in more depth. This guide is about what happens once they're enrolled.
The seven stages
Kinder Tennis
Our entry point, built around fine and gross motor skill development, balance, and socialisation rather than tennis technique in the strict sense. Parents take part alongside their child.
Launch Pad
The foundation stage proper. New skills and easy-to-learn techniques, with a strong emphasis on fun over formal drilling. Most kids start actually swinging a racquet and hitting a ball with intent here.
Red Ball
Kids begin building real tennis skills and exploring basic rally play, on a modified court with a red ball and a 19 to 23 inch racquet.
Orange Ball
Kids advance into singles and doubles play on a modified court with an orange ball, with the focus shifting to tactics, consistency, and competitive confidence.
Green Ball
A progression stage that builds toward full-court play, bridging the modified-court Orange Ball stage and the full-court Yellow Stage.
Yellow Stage
The most advanced stage before Squads, played on a full court with a standard yellow ball. 60-minute sessions, with the emphasis on skills improvement and competitive match play.
Ace & Super Squads
For ages 11 and up: rallying, match play, technique refinement, and structured drills. The pathway for kids who want to keep developing competitively.
Where relevant, we have dedicated technical guides for the Tennis Australia stages our Red Ball, Orange Ball, and Green Ball tiers correspond to: Red Stage, Orange Stage, and Green Stage, covering court dimensions, ball compression, and skill competencies in full detail.
Current pricing by stage
| Stage | Price |
|---|---|
| Kinder Tennis | $24/week |
| Launch Pad | $29/week |
| Red Ball | $36/week |
| Orange Ball | $40/week |
| Green Ball | $40/week |
| Yellow Stage | $44/week |
| Ace & Super Squads | $48/week |
Confirm current pricing and enrol on our Kids Tennis Coaching page.
Not sure which stage fits your child?
Book a free trial and a coach will assess them in person.
Who's coaching
Every stage is taught by the same coaching team, including Head Coach Mike Etherington, who has around 30 years' coaching experience and has been USPTA certified since 1994, Samantha Loveridge, and Martina Caliari, a former European semi-professional player with 22 years in the sport. You can read more about the team on our About Us page.
What if my child doesn't fit neatly into a stage?
That's normal, and it's exactly what the first-session assessment is for. A child who's a confident mover but new to a racquet might start in Launch Pad rather than Kinder Tennis, while an older beginner might start in Red Ball rather than being placed purely by age. Siblings of different ages sometimes end up at different stages too, which is expected rather than a sign anything's gone wrong. If you're ever unsure, ask a coach directly rather than guessing from the stage names alone.
Beyond weekly classes: camps and private coaching
Every stage above describes our weekly Hot Shots classes, but they're not the only way kids build on what they're learning. During school terms, some families add a private lesson alongside a weekly class to work on something specific with a coach's full attention, particularly around a stage transition. During school holidays, our school holiday tennis camps give kids a more intensive block of coaching within the same stage structure, which can be a useful way to build confidence before moving up a level. Neither is required, weekly classes on their own are enough for most kids to progress through the stages at a normal pace.
FAQs
What's the difference between Kinder Tennis and Launch Pad?
Kinder Tennis focuses on fine and gross motor skills, balance, and socialisation, with parents participating alongside their child. Launch Pad is the first stage focused on actual racquet and ball skills, with a strong emphasis on fun.
How do I know which stage my child should start in?
Book a free trial lesson and our coaches will assess where your child should start in their first session, rather than placing them by age alone.
Is there a fixed age for each stage?
No, except Ace & Super Squads, which starts at 11. Children move through the other stages at their own pace, with coaches recommending advancement when ready.
How much does each stage cost?
Weekly pricing ranges from $24 for Kinder Tennis up to $48 for Ace & Super Squads. Current pricing is always on our Kids Tennis Coaching page.
Do the stages match the official Tennis Australia Hot Shots program?
Yes, our program runs under Tennis Australia's Hot Shots framework. Our Red Ball, Orange Ball, and Green Ball stages correspond to the Tennis Australia Red, Orange, and Green Hot Shots stages, and we have dedicated guides with the full technical detail for each.
What happens after Ace & Super Squads?
Ace & Super Squads is the top of our junior program and the pathway for kids who want to keep developing competitively. Speak with a coach about next steps once your child is ready to progress further.
Can my child move backward a stage if needed?
Yes, coaches assess progress each term and will recommend whatever level suits your child best, which can mean staying at a stage longer or moving between stages in either direction.
Do all stages run on the same day and time?
Class times vary by stage. Check our Hot Shots schedule for current times, or contact us directly.
Summary
From Kinder Tennis through to Ace & Super Squads, our junior program is built as a progression, not a set of unrelated classes, with coaches guiding each child at their own pace rather than locking them to an age. If you're not sure where your child fits, the easiest way to find out is to book a free trial lesson and let a coach assess them in person.
Sources
No external sources cited beyond the client's own live Kids Tennis Coaching hub page (verified 2026-09-08) for tier names, pricing, and descriptions.