The DeKalb County High School tennis teams are months away from their next season, but that doesn’t mean players aren’t on the courts. The players have been participating in local tennis camps and the head coach has been offering classes to all who would like to learn the sport. This coupled with the city’s efforts to revitalize the tennis courts is putting a new emphasis on the sport.
The Smithville Tennis Courts are looking better than ever after the city moved forward with the resurfacing plan for the facility. In March, 2022, the board approved a $40,000 budget amendment for the resurfacing and realignment of the city’s tennis courts located next to the Smithville Golf Course.
The courts were getting the finishing touches done this week, but crews were unable to realign some of the courts to a north/south direction because it would have required extending the fence and removing some poles from the court. The courts now have been resurfaced with new lines painted.
“Competition Athletic Services out of Chattanooga did the work but the heat has been a little bit of a concern for the crew,” Head DCHS Tennis coach Brian Cadle explained. “It’s been a little slow, but they are finishing up with the project. The courts have a blue playing surface with a green border. We also have new nets with revised net posts. The old net posts are remaining, but have new hardware to attach the nets.”
“The City Manager Hunter Hendrixson has really helped us,” Cadle continued. “He’s been to meetings, communicating with the aldermen and the mayor, and has been a great force in getting this done. We really appreciate what this city (Smithville) has done to get this accomplished.”
Cadle is not just focused on the high school players. He has also been hosting camps and teaching sessions, getting local people more involved in the sport.
“I am also getting very involved in tennis programs here in Smithville,” Cadle said. “Recently we held Junior Team Tennis, which gave some of our players the chance to play against other schools. That was through the United States Tennis Association (USTA).”
“This week, we are hosting a Junior Team Tennis event. It will be some of our kids and players from all over the area. I am one of the coaches for the whole region. There are four coaches for teams in Crossville, Sparta, Cookeville, and Smithville. Players who want to play from places like Warren County or Cannon County are welcome to play with us in Smithville. This is our first year and we’ve got a good turnout, but I hope to get more kids involved in the future from different counties and build the tennis team.”
“I’ve also been working with adult beginners in the area for the USTA, running a program called “Learn to Play,” Cadle said. “I had six community members signed up from Smithville. Learn to Play is part of a program called “Play Tennissee” and people can register online at www.playtennissee.com/smithville-registration.”
“One of my goals in Smithville is to get more adults playing. They get six hours of instruction for $50, and get a free tennis racket and a free shirt. Our next session will be held July 18 in Smithville.”
Coach Cadle said there is also a USTA program for beginner tennis players called “Rally Cats.” “That is a tennis beginner program for kids from age four to 10. It is six hours of instruction and is also held in Smithville. Registration for that program is online as well at rallycatstennis.com/smithville/.”
The DCHS team is also getting involved with young players. On June 20, the team held their first annual Tiger Tennis Camp. There, any DeKalb County student from Kindergarten to eighth grade was invited to learn from the high school players.
“I was out there with our high school players, and we charged $30 for the week, which went to our tennis program,” Cadle said. “I think it was a nice start to something we can do more of.”
We have another camp coming up, when the courts are done, and the plan is to have one more week of tennis camp. Cadle said the plan is to have a camp on Saturday, July 16.
“We are also hosting an amateur tennis tournament in Smithville called the “Caney Fork Tennis Open.” We are splitting the tournament with the team over in Sparta. Between the two of us we have eight courts, and together we are going to host this tournament from July 26-29. It will be held in the evening and will be for both adults and kids.”
“I just really want to offer the opportunity for people in our area to play tennis, people of all ages. I work with kids from the age of four, all the way up to people 70 years old. I’m very excited about what’s going on in Smithville.”
Coach Cadle is assisted on the courts by assistant coaches Chad Ramsey and Riley Young.
To participate in the Tiger Tennis Camp (Grades K to 8), contact Camp Instructor Brian Cadle at briancadle@dekalbschools.net or text at 931-644-1791.
To join the Caney Fork Tennis Open (7/26 to 7/29) at Smithville Golf Club and White County High School text at 931-644-1791 or email cadleeducation@gmail.com.
