Perth Voice Interactive

THE Mount Lawley Tennis Centre has almost tripled its junior squads in the past two years.

The Central Avenue club has 14 junior teams of players up to the age of 18 — in 2013/14 there were five.

Rhys McDougall, who’s been on board for 18 months and is the club’s third head coach in three years, puts the success down to involving the community.

He also coaches at eight local schools, where he recruits new players.

“I still being active in the game also helps,” Mr McDougall says. The coach, who hails from the Gold Coast, has played for Australia in the over 35s for the past six years.

Tennis ace Zac Segal, 12, joined the club two years ago with four of his friends. His sporting hero is Nick Kyrgios: “I like it when he gets angry,” Zac giggles.

by EMMIE DOWLING