Term 4 Guide
Why Term 4 Is the Best Time to Start Hot Shots Tennis at Rushcutters Bay Park
Term 4 runs from 13 October to 17 December 2026. Here's why it suits a fresh start, what Hot Shots costs, and how to book your child's free trial.
If you've been meaning to sign your child up for tennis, the start of Term 4 is a natural moment to do it. NSW public school students return on Tuesday 13 October 2026 and finish on Thursday 17 December, which gives a new player around ten weeks of regular sessions before summer. The afternoons are longer and warmer, and if your family still has an unused Active and Creative Kids voucher for 2026, this is the last school term to use it.
This guide covers what Hot Shots is, how the stages and weekly pricing work at Rushcutters Bay Park Tennis Courts on Waratah Street, how to book a free trial, and what's on offer for parents who want to get back on court too.
Why Term 4 works for a fresh start
The short version: Term 4 gives a new player a full run of weekly sessions between 13 October and 17 December 2026, outdoor conditions are at their most comfortable, and Voucher 1 of the 2026 Active and Creative Kids program expires on 31 December 2026.
A full term to settle in. Around ten weeks is enough time for most children to learn the rhythm of a weekly class, get comfortable with their coach and group, and show the kind of progress our coaches track each term. Starting now means your child heads into summer with a foundation, rather than starting from scratch in February.
Better conditions for an outdoor sport. Every session at Rushcutters Bay Park is played outdoors on our five courts beside the bay. Term 4 brings longer daylight and warmer weather, which makes after-school and weekend sessions easier for kids and parents alike. Just pack sunscreen, a hat and a water bottle.
A bridge into the summer holidays. The NSW summer school holidays run from Friday 18 December 2026 to Wednesday 27 January 2027 (see the NSW Department of Education 2026 term dates). Our school holiday tennis camps follow the same Hot Shots structure as our weekly classes, so a child with a term of Hot Shots behind them arrives at camp already knowing the format.
Voucher timing. If you hold an Active and Creative Kids voucher you haven't used yet, Term 4 may be your last chance to put it toward an activity this year. There's more detail in the pricing section below.
What Hot Shots tennis is
Hot Shots is Tennis Australia's official junior program, not a format invented by one club. It uses modified court sizes, age-appropriate racquets and lower-bouncing balls so children can actually rally from their early lessons, instead of practising strokes in isolation. At Rushcutters Bay the program is delivered by Sydney Sports Management Group (SSMG), which maintains direct affiliations with Tennis Australia and Tennis NSW.
The program welcomes children from toddler age through to early teens, with no prerequisites. Whether your child has never held a racquet or has hit a few balls at school, a coach assesses them at their first session and places them in the stage that fits their ability, not just their age.
The stages at Rushcutters Bay
Here's how the pathway runs, from first steps to squad level. For a deeper look at each level, read our guide to kids tennis stages, from Kinder Tennis to Squad.
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Kinder Tennis
Parent-and-child classes for children around 3.5 to 4.5 years old, built around motor skills, balance and coordination. 30-minute sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
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Launch Pad
The foundation stage, packed with new skills and easy-to-learn techniques, with a big emphasis on fun.
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Red Ball
Kids build tennis skills and begin basic rally play through game-based activities on modified courts, using red balls and 19 to 23 inch racquets.
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Orange Ball
Singles and doubles play with a 50% compression orange ball, with the focus on tactics, consistency and competitive confidence.
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Green Ball
The progression stage that builds toward full-court play, bridging the modified-court stages and the full-court Yellow Stage.
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Yellow Stage
60-minute sessions on the full court, with a big emphasis on skills improvement and competitive match play.
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Ace & Super Squads
Recommended for ages 11 and up, focusing on rallying, match play, technique, point construction and structured drills.
Children who are ready for match play can also enter the Hot Shots Challenge, a friendly round-robin event for red, orange, green and yellow ball players.
Weekly pricing and the Active and Creative Kids voucher
| Stage | Price |
|---|---|
| Kinder Tennis | $24/week |
| Launch Pad | $29/week |
| Red Ball | $36/week |
| Orange Ball | $40/week |
| Green Ball | $40/week |
| Yellow Stage (60 min) | $44/week |
| Ace & Super Squads | $48/week |
Fees are charged weekly by direct debit, so there's no large upfront term payment. Confirm current pricing and enrol on our Kids Tennis Coaching page.
Using an Active and Creative Kids voucher: the NSW Government voucher is worth $50 and is offered twice a year to families receiving Family Tax Benefit, for children aged 4.5 to 18. Voucher 1 for 2026 must be used by 31 December 2026, so Term 4 is the last term to put it toward tennis this year. Voucher 2 for 2026, released on 15 July, can be used until 14 July 2027. Email your voucher to info.rbtc@ssmgroup.com.au before registering so it can be applied. Children in Kinder Tennis are generally younger than the voucher's minimum age. You can check eligibility and apply through Service NSW.
Families who need financial support can also ask about SSMG scholarships, which give eligible children a free term of coaching.
How to book a free trial
Every new child can try a free Hot Shots session before committing. The free trial is for kids only and doesn't apply to adult coaching.
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Get in touch
Fill in our free lesson enquiry form or call (02) 9357 7332. Mention your child's age, any tennis they've played and which days suit your family.
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Come to the trial
Arrive a few minutes early at 7 Waratah Street in comfortable sportswear and flat-soled, non-marking shoes. Coaches confirm the right stage on the day, and you're welcome to watch.
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Enrol and set up direct debit
Complete the enrolment form and a short direct debit form. If you're using a voucher, email it to us before you register.
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Sort out a racquet
Your child will need a racquet sized for their stage. Ask a coach at the trial and they'll advise on the right size.
Who's coaching
Hot Shots classes are led by Tennis Australia accredited coaches. Head Coach Mike Etherington has 30 years of coaching experience, including seven years abroad, has been a USPTA certified professional since 1994, and coached former world number 1 Andy Roddick at the Rick Macci Tennis Academy. He works alongside Samantha Loveridge, who holds a First Class BA (Hons) in Sport Management and Advanced and Development coaching certifications from the Australasian Academy of Tennis Coaches, and Martina Caliari, a former European semi-professional player with 22 years in the sport and a Diploma in Sport Coaching. You can see each coach's full profile and qualifications in the Meet Our Coaches section of our Kids Tennis page.
SSMG also runs tennis programs with local schools including Darlinghurst Primary, Plunkett Street Primary, Glenmore Road Public School, Sydney Grammar, Scots College and Conservatorium High School. You can read more about the team on our About Us page.
Common mistakes families make when enrolling
Waiting for the summer holidays to start. Holiday camps are a great intensive, but they work best alongside regular weekly classes. A child who starts in Term 4 goes into camp already knowing the drills, the scoring and the coaches.
Treating Hot Shots as a beginners-only class. It's a full pathway, from parent-and-child Kinder Tennis through to competitive Ace & Super Squads.
Choosing a stage by age alone. Placement is confirmed by a coach at the first session. A confident mover who's new to a racquet might start in a different stage to a classmate of the same age.
Leaving the voucher until after enrolment. Email your Active and Creative Kids voucher before registering, and remember that Voucher 1 for 2026 can't be used after 31 December.
Turning up in the wrong shoes. Chunky or heavily treaded runners aren't suitable for court surfaces. Flat-soled, non-marking sports shoes are required.
Mixing up weekly classes and holiday camps. Hot Shots is the ongoing weekly program. Holiday camps are separate school-holiday bookings for ages 4 to 14, so check which one you're enrolling in.
Tennis for parents: social tennis and cardio tennis
While your child is learning, there are easy ways for adults to get back on court at Rushcutters Bay too.
Social tennis is friendly match play with an allocated coach on hand to offer advice, and all levels are welcome. Sessions run Wednesdays 10am to 12pm, Fridays 6pm to 8pm, Saturdays 12pm to 2pm and 3pm to 5pm, and Sundays 2pm to 4pm. See our social tennis page to book.
Cardio tennis is a 45 to 60 minute tennis workout set to a high-energy soundtrack, open to all skill and fitness levels, and your first session is free. Find out more on our cardio tennis page.
If you'd prefer structured coaching, our adult tennis lessons run at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, with beginner and intermediate classes capped at six players.
| Adult option | Price |
|---|---|
| Social tennis, casual visit | $32 |
| Social tennis, 10 pack | $255 |
| Cardio tennis, per session (first session free) | $33 |
| Cardio tennis, 10 pack | $300 |
| Group lesson, 60 minutes | $43 |
| Group lesson, 90 minutes | $58 |
End-of-year functions: the Bartley Room
Term 4 is also presentation night and Christmas party season. The Bartley Room seats 40 or holds 80 standing, with a plasma screen, conference table setup, kitchenette and catering options, from $31 per hour at the community rate or $55.90 per hour at the corporate rate. The smaller Club Room seats 20 or holds 50 standing, from $18 per hour at the community rate or $33.30 per hour at the commercial rate. Our on-site cafe can also cater private bookings. Enquire through our function hire page or call (02) 9357 7332.
FAQs
When does Term 4 start and finish in 2026?
NSW public school students return on Tuesday 13 October 2026 and finish on Thursday 17 December 2026. The summer school holidays then run until Wednesday 27 January 2027.
What is Hot Shots tennis?
Hot Shots is Tennis Australia's official junior program. It uses modified courts, age-appropriate racquets and lower-bouncing balls, with stages running from Kinder Tennis through to Ace & Super Squads.
Can my child try a class before committing?
Yes. New children can book a free trial session through our free lesson enquiry form or by calling (02) 9357 7332. The free trial is for kids only and doesn't apply to adult coaching.
How much does Hot Shots cost at Rushcutters Bay?
Weekly fees range from $24 for Kinder Tennis to $48 for Ace & Super Squads, charged weekly by direct debit. Current pricing is always on our Kids Tennis Coaching page.
Can I use the Active and Creative Kids voucher for Hot Shots?
Yes. The $50 voucher is available to families receiving Family Tax Benefit, for children aged 4.5 to 18. Voucher 1 for 2026 must be used by 31 December 2026. Email your voucher to info.rbtc@ssmgroup.com.au before registering.
My child has never played tennis. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Hot Shots has no prerequisites, and a coach assesses each child at their first session to place them in the right stage.
Does my child need their own racquet?
Yes, children need a racquet sized for their age and stage. Our coaches can advise on the right size at the free trial.
Are there tennis options for parents?
Yes. Adults can join social tennis, try cardio tennis with the first session free, or book small-group lessons at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
Where are the courts?
Rushcutters Bay Park Tennis Courts are at 7 Waratah Street, Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011, close to Elizabeth Bay, Potts Point, Darlinghurst, Edgecliff and Paddington. The courts open daily from 7am.
What happens over the summer holidays?
Our school holiday tennis camps run for children aged 4 to 14 and follow the same Hot Shots structure as weekly classes. Check the holiday camps page for summer dates.
Summary and next steps
Hot Shots at Rushcutters Bay Park is Tennis Australia's national junior pathway, delivered on five outdoor courts beside the bay by an accredited coaching team. Term 4 lines up a full run of weekly sessions, the best weather of the year for an outdoor sport, and the last chance to use a 2026 Voucher 1. Parents can join in too, with social tennis and cardio tennis running across the week.
To get started, book a free trial lesson, call us on (02) 9357 7332, or email info.rbtc@ssmgroup.com.au, and a coach will help you find the right stage for your child.