Tennis for Kids in Laval: Why Multisport Helps Build Better Young Athletes

Does your child love being active, enjoy trying different sports, or already show a particular passion for tennis? As a parent, it can be tempting to encourage them to specialize early in the sport where they seem to have the most potential.

However, learning and practicing multiple sports during childhood can help build a more complete athletic foundation — even for a young athlete who may eventually want to focus seriously on tennis.

At Tennis 13 in Laval, we believe in developing the athlete as a whole. That’s why our environment allows children to discover tennis as early as age 4, progress through different levels, and, for some, eventually pursue competitive tennis, the Academy, and a Sport-Study program.

Why is multisport important for young athletes?

Every sport teaches a child something different.

Running, jumping, throwing, catching, changing direction quickly, developing balance, and anticipating an opponent’s movements are all skills that can be developed through different disciplines.

A child who participates in multiple sports is exposed to a greater variety of movements and situations.

For a future tennis player, this athletic foundation can be particularly valuable. Tennis requires coordination, agility, reaction speed, balance, endurance, and the ability to move efficiently in multiple directions.

Soccer, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, and other racquet sports can therefore each contribute in their own way to the overall development of a young athlete.

But there is another fundamental element: the enjoyment of being active.

Giving children the opportunity to explore different activities can help them discover what they truly enjoy and develop a positive, lasting relationship with sports.

Should a child who is good at tennis specialize early?

Not necessarily.

Playing multiple sports and eventually aspiring to excel in tennis are not contradictory.

The goal is instead to adapt a young athlete’s training according to their age, level, interests, and ambitions.

When a child develops a growing passion for tennis and wants to take their game further, it may then make sense to gradually increase the amount of tennis-specific training.

The quality of coaching becomes particularly important at this stage. A player’s development is not simply about the number of hours spent on the court. Technique, movement, tactics, physical preparation, attitude, and understanding of the game all play an important role.

Where can kids take tennis lessons in Laval?

Located in Laval, Tennis 13 has been welcoming players of all levels for more than four decades and provides an environment where young players can enjoy tennis year-round.

Children can take their first steps on the court as early as 4 years old, then progress through different programs based on their age, level, motivation, and goals.

One of Tennis 13’s strengths is the ability to support young players throughout the different stages of their journey — from their first rallies for fun to competitive tennis and, for some, Sport-Study.

From recreational to competitive tennis: a pathway for every young player

Not every child begins tennis with the goal of competing — and that’s perfectly fine.

At Tennis 13, our priority is to give young players the opportunity to discover tennis, develop their skills, and progress in an environment suited to their level and ambitions.

Some will play tennis simply for fun. Others will gradually develop an interest in competition. And some may eventually want to take their development even further.

Our role is to provide the right support at each stage.

Junior tennis with Juliette Chan

For children who want to discover tennis, learn the fundamentals, improve their skills, or simply enjoy playing a sport, Tennis 13 offers a junior program designed for players ages 4 to 16.

Leading the program is Juliette Chan, who brings 25 years of experience teaching and developing young tennis players. Today, she oversees approximately 450 young players per session, ranging from children hitting their first balls to more experienced players looking to improve their game.

Under her supervision, young players progressively develop their coordination, movement, technique, and understanding of tennis in an environment where enjoying the game remains at the heart of the learning experience.

For some, tennis will remain a recreational activity they enjoy for years. For others, these early years will help build the skills and passion needed to eventually transition to competitive tennis.

Juliette Chan at a glance
25 years of experience | 450 young players per session | Ages 4–16

Competitive tennis with Luc Champanet

When a young player demonstrates the interest, skills, and motivation to take their tennis further, Tennis 13 provides an opportunity to continue their development in a structured competitive environment.

The program is led by Luc Champanet, who brings 30 years of experience coaching and developing tennis players. Each year, he works with approximately 100 young athletes between the ages of 6 and 17.

At this level, training becomes progressively more advanced. Technical and tactical development, movement, physical preparation, and understanding of the game take on a greater role in preparing young athletes for the demands of competition.

The objective, however, is not simply to win more matches. It is about helping each young athlete take the next steps in their development, according to their potential, goals, and individual pace.

Luc Champanet at a glance
30 years of experience | 100 young players per year | Ages 6–17

What if my child wants to take their tennis even further?

For young athletes who develop a strong interest in tennis and want to make the sport an important part of their athletic journey, another step is possible: the Academy and Sport-Study program.

This transition does not mean that every young player is expected to eventually reach this level. Every journey is different.

For some, tennis will remain recreational. For others, competition will become a passion. And for certain young athletes, the desire to challenge themselves further will naturally lead to a more structured training environment.

The Academy and Sport-Study program with Robby Ménard

For young athletes who want to make tennis an even greater part of their journey, Académie Ménard et associés and its Sport-Study program offer a specialized training environment at Tennis 13.

Leading the Academy, Robby Ménard brings 37 years of experience in tennis and the development of young athletes. He oversees 130 young players per year/session, primarily between the ages of 7 to 18.

Over the years, Robby Ménard and the Academy have built a strong reputation within Quebec’s tennis community, particularly through their expertise in developing players who aspire to reach higher levels of competition.

At this stage, coaching goes far beyond technique. Strategy, physical preparation, mental preparation, training discipline, and long-term player development are all integral parts of the journey.

For parents of a young athlete who shows particular potential or ambition, the Academy provides access to experienced professionals who can help answer an essential question: Where is the player today, and what should the next steps in their development be?

Robby Ménard at a glance
37 years of experience | 130 young players per year | Ages 7–18

Does Tennis 13 offer a tennis Sport-Study program in Laval?

Yes. Tennis 13 hosts a Sport-Study tennis program in Laval with Académie Ménard et associés.

This pathway is designed for young players who want to balance their academic studies with a more intensive tennis training schedule.

Sport-Study therefore represents a much more advanced stage of the junior pathway — not an expectation for a child who is just beginning to play tennis.

Instead, the goal is to provide continuity: allowing a young athlete who gradually develops the necessary skills, passion, and ambition to continue progressing in an environment that can meet their evolving needs.

A pathway that can grow with your child

This is one of Tennis 13’s greatest strengths: a child can take their first steps on the court at age 4 and continue developing in the same environment as their skills and ambitions evolve.

Junior Tennis → Competitive Tennis → Academy & Sport-Study

At every stage, experienced professionals with decades of expertise support young players according to their age, level, and goals.

Parents therefore don’t need to know at age 4, 6, or 8 how far their child will ultimately want to take the sport.

What matters is providing them with the right environment, the right level of coaching, and the opportunity to enjoy progressing at every stage.

Which tennis program is right for my child?

There is no single right answer.

A 4-year-old holding a racquet for the first time obviously has very different needs from a 12-year-old who already competes in tournaments and dreams of reaching a high level.

That’s why the starting point should always be the child: their age, experience, interest, level, and, above all, their enjoyment of the game.

At Tennis 13, our team can help parents identify the program that best suits their child today — while giving them the opportunity to continue progressing tomorrow.

Looking for a tennis centre for your child in Laval?

The best way to know whether a program is right for your child is to come and discover it for yourself.

Come meet the Tennis 13 team, visit our facilities, and talk with us about your child’s interests, level, and goals.

For children who are just getting started, group lessons beginning at age 4 are an excellent introduction to tennis.

For young players who are already playing and want to go further, our team can also provide information about development opportunities, competitive tennis, the Academy, and Sport-Study.

Because before determining how far a child can go in a sport, we first need to give them the opportunity to move, explore, learn, and develop their passion.