Youth Clinics

Simke Start

Year-round, junior beginner tennis program focuses on establishing a” highly positive, encouraging, fun atmosphere” for the Junior player. This atmosphere is essential as it creates comfort and confidence, in our new players. This confidence allows the jr beginner to successfully engage in, and apply detailed instruction sets, that teaches specific aspects of the modern game of tennis (proper grips, correct spin production, concerning: ground stroke, volley and serve production). Initially it can be imposing, but No fear, these very detailed instructions in the modern game of tennis, have been tailored and broken down personally, by Coach Goran, into a system of very simple to follow progressions. These instructions are taught by all instructors, to one gold, standard. Coaches will connect with the players
with fun games, and drills sprinkled throughout the lesson, ensuring a strong positive, student-Coach connection. This connection allows our coaches to relentlessly reinforce the technical standard, ensuring growth and improvement, which allows our players to,( when the time comes - Evaluated by Coach Goran as technically ready) to successfully move on to the competitive tournament side.
These beginning clinics are Little Loopers for age 6-8, Topspin Troopers for ages 7-10, and Junior Novice for ages 11-14.

Clinics

Simke Select

In order to be a 'Select' player you must have prior approval from Coach Goran. Those who are playing in his current clinics are grandfathered in and may sign up in the Select classes.

This is the performance based, competitive side of the academy that is geared for the tournament player. These players have the knowledge and ability to manipulate the physics and geometry of the ball, via spin and height control. Ability to execute all the different shots and spins allows this group to consider strategic ideas necessary for tournament tennis. Tennis appropriate strength and conditioning program will be used to provide the players the extra gear needed to get over the competitive hump. Video analysis will be used to provide the players, very nuanced, technical points of focus. These points of focus are different for everyone, as they represent the segment/segments of the Kinetic chain that is not being utilized efficiently or engaging on time. When engaged appropriately the kinetic chain provides the player much easier access to power. The pursuit of excellence will be
daily, hard work will become a part of each player. Integrity of character will be the compass.

These clinics are called Select Orange Ball, Middle School Development, and Jr Excellence.

Clinics

Adult Clinics

Adult Beginner

Adult Beginner class will feature technical fundamentals. We will cover the different grips, how to produce topspin, serves and more.

These clinics are taught by Coach Goran

These clinics meet once a week

Tuesday 7:00- 8:30 pm

Clinics

Adult Intermediate

Adult Intermediate clinics will feature a 'drills and skills' format where one or two shots will be introduced as topic of focus. This will be followed by point play scenarios where those shots will be utilized. Each lesson will conclude with match play which will be singles and doubles.
These clinics are taught by Coach Goran
These clinics will meet once a week.

Saturdays 10:30 - 12:00

Clinics

Our Mission Statement

Simke Tennis Academy provides Columbia County a fun, competitive, performance based junior tennis academy. In our program, the junior player will grow and greatly improve his or her tennis, while at the same time being molded into a well-rounded, student athlete. We pursue excellence to achieve the gold standard in both tennis and academics every day by never losing sight of our core values:

“Excellence Through Hard Work and Integrity”

Coach Goran

Coach Goran Simic is a USPTA certified teaching profession with 20 years of teaching and coaching experience. He started his coaching career in Colorado at the age of 19 as an assistant pro and earned his United States Professional Tennis Association certification at the age of 21. Since then he has worked as a certified pro and a Head teaching professional for over ten years. Coach Goran also served in the US Army as a medic for 6 years, where he gained invaluable experience in medical training, leadership, organizational skills, and discipline. The opportunity to serve in the Army reaffirmed Coach Goran’s personal values of pursuing excellence through hard work and integrity every single day. After his honorable discharge from the Army in 2016, Coach Goran returned to his true love—teaching tennis.

Coach Goran has worked as the Head Pro at Patriots Park since 2017. He has partnered with the Columbia County Recreation Department to teach introductory tennis lessons to children and adults, including the Columbia County Tennis Exposure class. Some of his players, who started as brand new players in 2017, are competing at and winning Junior USTA-sanctioned tournaments.

Coach Goran specializes in teaching technical stroke production to High Performance Junior and Adult players. Coach Goran has also established a great rapport with the adult tennis community, where he promotes the growth of tennis every day.