Darlington School is pleased to announce that beginning in the fall of 2004, boarding students will have the opportunity to enroll in Craig Jones Tennis Academy through a partnership between the two entities. This program is open to tennis players of all levels.
“Darlington’s partnership with the Craig Jones Tennis Academy will allow students access to both top-level tennis training and an elite academic institution,” said Casey Zimmer, director of admissions at Darlington School. “The Tennis Academy fits perfectly with the School’s mission of developing and forming young people far beyond the realm of the classroom.”
Academy Director Craig Jones, nine-time Davis Cup Coach for Georgia and 1998 High Performance Coach, has 20 years of experience playing and coaching tennis. Certified by USPTA and USPTR, this three-time Georgia Pro of the Year and three-time Southern National Coach has taken many players from the beginner level to national ranking, with 60 of those he has coached receiving college scholarships.
“It takes desire, dedication and determination to be a successful tennis player,” said Jones. “It’s not always the best athlete that excels, but the player who loves the game for what it is. I enjoy teaching all levels of players, from beginners to the most advanced … Everyone can learn how to play, but each individual’s work ethic determines how far he or she wants to excel in the game.”
Practice sessions will take place at Horseleg Plantation Country Club in Rome, home of the Craig Jones Tennis Academy, Tuesday through Friday after school, at varying times depending on the student’s age and ability. Craig Jones and his staff of professionals will help determine which tournaments are most appropriate for the student and how frequently he or she competes.
Darlington sophomore Michael Schecter began playing tennis at the age of 5 in Jones’ Pee Wee tennis camps, and has been in the Tennis Academy since it started. “At the Craig Jones Tennis Academy, you get a lot of personal attention from one of the country’s top junior tennis coaches,” said Schecter. “Craig really cares about his students. [He] makes sure my form is correct, maximizing my potential. He also very strongly emphasizes the mental part of the game with patterns of play and strategies.”
Tuition for the Tennis Academy is structured so that it is less expensive with each year that a student participates. First year tuition is $4,500, and each successive year is $500 less. These fees include the cost of transportation to and from practice sessions.
Additionally, participants of the Craig Jones Tennis Academy will enjoy amenities of Horseleg Plantation Country Club, including: a one-year membership at the club for each year enrolled in the program; use of the club, including its restaurant, fitness and tennis facilities (five outdoor and three indoor courts); ball machine use; drills four days per week; weekly 30-minute private lessons with the club’s pro or assistant and personalized programs matched to each student’s ability level.
Participation in the Tennis Academy will not affect a student’s athletic eligibility with the Georgia High School Association.
For more information, please contact Zimmer at 706-236-0479 or
czimmer@darlingtonschool.org.
