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ATENNIS-LOVING duo is taking a swing at inspiring youngsters across the kingdom to take up the sport.
The Athletic Kings, founded by Dutch couple Michiel and Sarah Van Irk Borst, launched a European sports coaching company in Dubai and Bahrain to provide a variety of tennis and swimming programmes geared for all ages, from beginners to professionals looking to develop their skills.
The company, which now boasts a total of 11 coaches, runs a kids club offering a programme for even the youngest tennis fanatics.
It helps children between the ages of two-and-a-half up to fve improve their physical development, movement skills and playing prowess so that they can continue to improve their game as they grow.
During the lessons they learn ball skills, hand-eye co-ordination, balance and social skills. They also learn how to interact with others, co-operating, listening and communicating.
Mr Borst said: “It’s a great idea for children to start off young as it’s really good for their coordination, motor skills, running, jumping, hopping, throwing and catching. They love it. It also fosters teamwork and battles childhood obesity.
“I believe that the best way to develop their skills is for them to enjoy the game and we put much effort into making all our lessons as fun-flled as possible.”
The duo originally moved to the Gulf region to join the Athletic King ranks as instructors, both being licensed experts in coaching children and adults, and eventually bought out the company.
Mr Borst said: “It was great to have the opportunity to do what I love. We began to receive a lot of students wanting to know the sport or wanting to improve their game.
“Everything was going well. Then an opportunity in Bahrain came up when a former student of mine continued to ring me to fy to the kingdom and coach him because he couldn’t fnd a tennis instructor.
“Sarah and I then decided to make the trip to Bahrain and in July 2009 I moved to the island to get the business started.”
After contacting private schools and other facilities, Mr Borst managed to attract 50 to 100 students into signing up for after-school activities and weekend sessions. With business booming, Mrs Borst hired a manager to run the Dubai base in order to join her husband in developing their offce in Bahrain. They started training children from the ages of three to adults.
Now they provide lessons at different venues including St Christopher’s School, Ibn Khuldoon National School, Softel Hotel Bahrain and Country Club. They also offer private classes at tennis courts at certain compounds for the convenience of their students.
They also take on adults or aspiring tennis players helping them improve their technique for tournaments and competitions.
Mr Borst added: “Performing well during lessons is also just as important as doing this in a real game situation. That is why we always say that it is not possible to see these two things separately. By organising activities for all levels and age groups we try to combine these two elements.
“Athletic Kings is also the only company in Bahrain with European tennis coaches that provide group lessons to a maximum of four students per class.”
Private lessons in compounds are BD19 for an hour, BD16 for 45 minutes and BD11 for 30 minutes. For a group lesson with four students the price is BD6 per person for an hour and BD5 per person for 45 min.
