A new Berkeley Heights nonprofit begins weekly youth tennis clinics Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the Berkeley Heights YMCA.

The Berkeley Heights Tennis Association, a 501(c)(3) formed to grow the sport locally, is offering indoor Red Ball tennis clinics for children ages 5–9. The first session starts at 4 p.m. at the YMCA's Berkeley Heights branch, 59 Locust Ave. Children are split into two age groups: 5–6 and 7–9.

Red Ball tennis uses larger balls, shorter racquets and smaller courts scaled for young players.

Organizer Sheryl Manfreda posted the clinic series to the Patch community calendar on Sept. 10, describing the BHTA as "a NJ nonprofit, 501c3 charitable organization created to support, strengthen, and grow tennis in Berkeley Heights."

The association says it aims to provide youth development programs, community events, scholarships and recreational tennis access for all ages and abilities. Details on registration, cost and the number of sessions were not listed in the calendar posting.

Earlier pop-up drew interest

The BHTA previewed its approach with a free pop-up clinic at the same YMCA on Saturday, Aug. 22. The Summit Area YMCA promoted the event on Instagram in an Aug. 17 post, describing two sessions for ages 5–8 at no cost and no YMCA membership required.

@summitareaymca: "That smile says it all! … Bigger balls, shorter racquets, and courts sized just for little players, so grins like this happen fast. No experience needed, just show up and swing."

The Wednesday clinics are held indoors at the Summit Area YMCA's Berkeley Heights branch. The new nonprofit is separate from Gina's Tennis World, the Springfield Avenue facility that opened a third court on Sept. 12, according to TAPinto.

Families can find program details at berkeleyheightstennis.org as the BHTA adds information.