Private Coaching Guide
Private Tennis Coaching for Kids in Rushcutters Bay: What to Expect, When to Consider It, and What It Costs
One-on-one coaching isn't just for competitive players. Here's how it works, what it costs, and how to decide if it's right for your child.
If your child is already in one of our Hot Shots classes, or you're weighing up tennis for the first time, you've probably wondered whether one-on-one coaching is worth it, and when it actually makes sense. This guide walks through what a private lesson for a child looks like at Rushcutters Bay Park Tennis, how to decide between private and group coaching, what it costs, and how families typically combine the two.
The basics: Private lessons run 30 or 60 minutes, one coach with your child, at flexible times including early morning, daytime, and evening. No fixed curriculum, no waiting for a turn, just focused time on exactly what your child needs.
Private coaching isn't just for competitive kids
The existing coverage on our site has focused on private coaching for competitive 10-year-old Orange Ball players (see our guide to private coaching for your 10-year-old if that's your situation), and that's a genuine and common reason to book one-on-one time. But it's far from the only one. In our experience, families come to private lessons for a range of reasons that have nothing to do with competition:
A younger child who needs a slower, more patient introduction than a group class allows
A child returning after time off who wants to rebuild confidence before rejoining a group
A specific technical fix, like a serve motion or a forehand grip, that's hard to give proper attention to in a group setting
A parent who simply prefers the flexibility of booking around their own schedule rather than a fixed weekly class time
A child who finds group settings overwhelming and coaches better one-on-one, at least to start
There's no single "right" age or skill level for private coaching. It's simply a different format, and it suits some kids and some situations better than others.
Private vs group: how to decide
Group (Hot Shots)
Kinder Tennis through to Ace & Super Squads, following a structured, age-based curriculum under Tennis Australia's Hot Shots framework. Builds the social and competitive side of tennis, playing alongside friends. The more affordable, ongoing option for regular weekly coaching.
Private lessons
One coach, one child, full attention for the whole session. Best used to complement group coaching, not replace it, whether that's a specific technical fix, a confidence boost, or fitting coaching around a busy schedule.
A common pattern we see is a child in a weekly Hot Shots class who also books a private session every few weeks, or during a school holiday period, to work on something specific with a coach's full attention. Some families do the reverse: starting with a handful of private lessons to build a child's confidence and basic skills before joining a group class. If you're not sure which fits your child, the simplest starting point is usually a free trial lesson in a group setting, so you can see how they respond before deciding whether to add private coaching on top.
What it costs
Private lesson pricing at Rushcutters Bay Park Tennis is the same structure across all ages, including kids:
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Single 60-minute session | $130 |
| 5-lesson pack | $615 |
| 10-lesson pack | $1,120 |
| 30-minute session | On inquiry |
Multi-lesson packs work out cheaper per session than booking one at a time, which is worth factoring in if you already know your child will want a few sessions rather than a single one-off. Full booking details and current pricing are always on our private lessons page, since pricing can be updated there directly.
If cost is the main thing holding you back from ongoing coaching altogether, our pricing and financial support guide covers the Active and Creative Kids Voucher and our SSMG scholarship program, both of which apply to group coaching fees.
Ready to book a private lesson?
Or try a group class first if you're still deciding.
How to book
Private lessons can be booked directly through our private lessons page, either as a single session or a pack, or by contacting us on (02) 9357 7332 or info.rbtc@ssmgroup.com.au to talk through what your child needs first. If you'd rather try a group class before committing to one-on-one coaching, our Hot Shots schedule shows current weekly class times, or you can look at a school holiday camp as a lower-commitment way to try more coaching over a short period.
Who's coaching
Our private lessons are delivered by the same coaching team behind our group programs, 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. When you book, you can let us know what your child is working on and we'll match you with a coach suited to that. You can read more about the team on our About Us page.
FAQs
What's the difference between private and group tennis coaching for kids?
A private lesson is one-on-one with a coach, focused entirely on your child for the full session. A group class, like our Hot Shots program, has several kids coached together at once, following a set curriculum and building social and competitive skills alongside peers.
Is private coaching only for competitive players?
No. While it's a common choice for kids working toward competitive Orange, Green, or Yellow Ball stages, plenty of families use private lessons for other reasons, including building a younger child's confidence, fixing a specific technical habit, or simply fitting coaching around a busy schedule.
How much does a private tennis lesson cost for a child?
A single 60-minute session is $130. Multi-lesson packs bring the per-session cost down: $615 for five lessons or $1,120 for ten. 30-minute sessions are available on inquiry.
Can my child do both private lessons and group Hot Shots classes?
Yes, this is one of the most common setups. Many families keep their child in a weekly Hot Shots class and add private sessions periodically, for example during school holidays or when working on something specific.
What age can start private tennis lessons?
There's no fixed minimum age. Younger children often do better with a 30-minute session rather than a full hour, which can be arranged on inquiry.
Do I need to already play tennis, or have my child in a class, to book a private lesson?
No. Private lessons work as a first introduction to tennis as well as a complement to an existing class.
How do I choose which coach my child gets for a private lesson?
Let us know what your child is working on when you book and we'll match them with a suitable coach from our team.
Where can I see current private lesson pricing and book online?
Our private lessons page has current pricing and booking details.
Summary
Private coaching gives your child a coach's full attention for the session, which makes it a good fit for a specific goal, whether that's confidence-building, a technical fix, or preparing for competitive play. It works well on its own or alongside a weekly Hot Shots class. If you're ready to book, our private lessons page has current pricing and booking options, or book a free trial lesson first if you'd like to see a group class before deciding.
Sources
No external sources cited. Pricing and service details are drawn directly from the client's own live private lessons page (verified 2026-08-31).