Slice of Heaven Tennis Academy is a coaching clinic established by local tennis enthusiast Emma Braithwaite that runs on weekdays and Saturday mornings during school terms.

The 17-year-old runs sessions before and after school and coaches 110 kids ranging in age from two to 17.

The Spinifex State College graduate has been taking her own coaching sessions for four years but has been involved with coaching for almost six years.

Now she has her own business.

“I love working with little kids,” Braithwaite said.

“It’s so rewarding to see them improve. They go from nothing to being able to have a rally and actually play a match. We have a two-and-half-year-old who can hit the ball over the net. It’s crazy.”

Braithwaite’s family revolves around tennis with her mum Theresa Braithwaite, formerly part of the committee at Copper City Tennis Club, a strong influence on Emma’s career in the sport. 

“It’s (tennis) just been a part of my family pretty much since I was born. My family have always been here at the Copper City Tennis Club courts. I literally just live around the corner so I could just walk here. I do play other sports but tennis is definitely the main one because it went through mum’s family.”

Braithwaite, who also works weekends at a bar, has been assisted by her mother in not only tennis, but also learning how to run this business.

“My mum has been a huge help. I would have no idea if it wasn’t for her. She’s put aside running Dad’s business to help me. I did some things at school, but not everything.”

The idea of the clinic was derived from Braithwaite’s passion for tennis along with some favourite child pastimes.

“When I was younger, Friday afternoons used to be a thing. We used to come down to the tennis courts, play tennis, ping pong, handball, and eat sweets for three hours. We’d love it; we wouldn’t want to go home.”

During the past couple of years these regular afternoons at the courts quietened down but Braithwaite wants to bring the fun back.

There are now junior tennis fixtures on Friday afternoons for parents and players to test what they’ve learnt at practice during the week.

“We even use special balls for the littlies, so they don’t bounce over their height,” Braithwaite said.

A recent trip to Brisbane for the young business owner with her brother Thomas Braithwaite resulted in the pair earning their Level 1 Australian Tennis Professional Coaches Association (ATPCA) Certificate for tennis coaching.

With a qualification to her name, Braithwaite is searching for new kids to coach as school holidays approach.

Enrolments are now being taken for term 2. The holiday clinic will also be on offer on Thursday 9th, Friday 10th, Monday 13th, and Tuesday 14th of April.

For any queries about Slice of Heaven Tennis Academy get in touch with Emma Braithwaite on 0422 268 324.