School

Our methodology is specially designed to meet the needs of children aged 3-4 years. Our aim is to spark their interest in tennis and sports from an early age. Through various fairy tale stories, coaches convey the basics of tennis technique in a way that is fun and easy for children to understand.

The training sessions are conducted in a safe and pleasant environment where children have fun and develop their creativity by experimenting through the “trial and error” method. They build self-confidence and assurance as they progress through different levels of difficulty in the stories. This helps them develop a passion for their most natural action—movement.

Each training session follows a clear structure and rules, using familiar characters and fun methods. The language is easy to understand, and the technique and terminology are as important as the fun and positive experiences. The structure of the training gives children a sense of security while encouraging independence and routine. With love and patience, we help them progress by challenging them with new and interesting tasks.

More about the training and coaches:

• We offer one free trial session, which also requires prior registration.
• Our coaches and educators have undergone special training in this educational method, turning tennis lessons into a fairy tale adventure.
• The session lasts 45 minutes. It is played on small courts in a specialized sports hall, with small rackets, special lightweight balls, and low tennis nets.
• The fee is 20 BGN per hour. Prior registration guarantees the child’s spot on the desired days and times.

Check the schedule, write to us at groups@maleevi.academy, call us at +359 896 90 34 30, or visit us in person to arrange a convenient time.

Over the past decade, the International Tennis Federation launched the Play+Stay campaign to make tennis accessible for every child.

One of the main challenges facing this sport is to keep children’s interest for a long period. In early childhood, unrealistic goals, monotonous training sessions, and the perception of tennis as difficult due to large courts and heavy rackets lead to a need for change in teaching methods.

This is where the Play+Stay methodology comes in, which we choose to teach in our school. We use specially adapted courts, balls, and rackets, as well as a methodology that combines the technical and tactical aspects of the game so that children can enjoy tennis from the first lesson.

The sessions use slower bouncing balls, allowing players to effectively develop their technique and apply game tactics that are difficult to execute with regular yellow balls at this age. The high bounce of the standard ball makes it challenging for children to execute shots at optimal height, leading to technical and tactical errors. Therefore, the method uses balls with up to 75% slower bounce than a standard yellow ball.

Success in tennis depends on good court movement with specific steps, learning and applying tactical tasks across the entire court, and the ability for long rallies. The large size of standard courts and the height of the net, relative to children’s physical development, hinders their progress. Therefore, using courts sized to fit the height and age of children is essential.

Features of the Groups at Our School:

• We work with 4 level groups: White (mini), Red, Orange, and Green.
• The child/coach ratio is 4/1 for levels: Fairy Tale Tennis, White, and Red, 6/1 for levels: Green and Yellow, and 8/1 for the Orange level.
• The training session lasts 55 minutes.
• Each level group has a leading coach who monitors the children’s development and participates in most sessions.
• Only prior registration before the 20th of the current month guarantees the child’s spot on the desired days and times for the next month.
• Group registration is for at least one month. There is an option for a 3 or 6-month subscription.
• The first session is free/trial, allowing your child to gain impressions and for us to assess their skills and select the appropriate level and group if they have already trained in tennis.

Check the schedule and write to us at groups@maleevi.academy to book a trial session. More information can also be obtained by calling +359 896 90 34 30 or visiting us at the Maleeva Tennis Club.

In line with the efforts of tennis federations worldwide, we welcome juniors in the 11-18 age groups. These are the so-called yellow groups with yellow balls at standard court sizes, net height, and racket size.

These groups have two main goals:

1. To stimulate older tennis players to continue developing in the sport.

Data shows that 70% of actively training children quit after the age of 13. We believe that this can gradually change. The junior groups offer an opportunity to keep older children engaged, allowing them to continue playing regularly in a group format that is fun and crucial for social development during adolescence. The coach ensures the improvement of their tactical and technical tennis skills and their inclusion in adult groups and amateur tournaments at a more advanced age.

2. To attract new tennis enthusiasts to start in age-appropriate groups.

Some children think of tennis after the age of 10, and it is important to support their desire to master this sport. Like the younger players, beginners in the yellow groups use slower balls on smaller courts but progress through these levels significantly faster due to the physical strength, coordination, and cognitive skills characteristic of adolescence.

Before registering in a group, you need to schedule a meeting with Zlatka Petrova at groups@maleevi.academy, who will assess your level and the most suitable group for you. Follow the registration steps.

Our school is supportive of the Play+Stay campaign by the International Tennis Federation, which aims to engage more children, competitors, and enthusiasts in tennis.

The “Youth” program is an intensive tennis course where participants learn the basic tennis strokes, play rallies, score points, and understand the rules of the game while in the company of friends and peers. The training involves 4-6 players per court.

What equipment do I need?
Comfortable sportswear, sneakers with a smooth, non-marking sole without sharp edges, and… a good mood!

The club provides equipment (rackets, balls, and other tools) during the training sessions.

How much does it cost?
161,06 euro

Bring a friend, and both of you will get a 10% discount on the program price!

Registration Deadline:
Until the spots are filled (minimum 4, maximum 6 players).

How to Register?
tel.: +359 896 90 34 30
e-mail: groups@maleevi.academy