PORTSMOUTH — Tennis and volleyball are not easy sports to master. And even you’re adept at either one, your skill levels can quickly fade if you’ve been away from the court for too long.

The Portsmouth Recreation Department is addressing both issues by offering a tennis camp and a volleyball clinic, with a full-blown camp envisioned for the latter sport in the future.

Stacie Iannuccillo MacDonald was the facilitator for a two-day girls’ volleyball clinic which ran Tuesday and Thursday this week in the Glen Park pavilion area. She said she approached Recreation Director Wendy Bulk with the idea for a “feeder program” for incoming freshmen through 12th grade.

“I just brought the idea, she blessed the whole thing,” said Ms. MacDonald, noting that the clinic was open to residents from all of Aquidneck Island.

Another two-day clinic is being considered for this summer, leading to a potential camp before school begins.

“Our vision is, for a couple of weeks maybe, have a camp at the end of July, beginning of August, up at the high school. It would be four or five days, three hours each, in the new gym,” she said.

There are other volleyball camps, such as in North Kingstown, but it would be cheaper and more convenient for girls to have one closer to home, Ms. MacDonald said.

Running last week’s clinic were Suzanne Mirisola, Jean Lehane and Scott Wilson.

“The goal here is to kind of peel back, work on your skills and development, technique,” she said. “We’re trying to give them as many ‘touches’ as they can.”

She said Ms. Bulk would like to start up a two-day clinic at the middle school at the start of the year. 

“There’s a lot of growth and vision, and creating opportunities for kids who don’t even know if they want to do the sport,” she said.

Tennis camp

Tennis lessons, for ages 6 to 13, are held at the PHS courts on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Each tennis session (Tuesday and Thursday) costs $25. Children need to bring a racket, hat and sneakers, a water bottle and sunscreen (should be applied first). 

“You can sign up weekly or you can sign up for the whole thing,” said instructor Hannah Nasser, 18.

Ms. Nasser, who recently graduated from PHS, competed on the school’s championship girls’ tennis team this year and will play for Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire this fall. 

For more information about the Portsmouth Recreation Department’s offerings and for application forms, click here. You may also contact Recreation Director Wendy Bulk at 401/787-0281 or wbulk@portsmouthri.com.