How far is the club from Milton and Millsboro?

Located on Plantations Blvd in Lewes, we are a 15 to 20 minute drive for families coming from Milton and about 25 minutes from the Millsboro area.

Do we need a full membership for our child to join a clinic?

No, we offer a Racquet Lite membership for just 5 dollars per month. This provides full eligibility for all junior clinic registrations and private lessons.

Are there activities for parents while kids are in clinics?

Yes. While your child is on the court, many parents take advantage of our 12 indoor pickleball courts or our professional indoor golf simulator.

How do I find the right fit for my child?

Contact the team at Dave Marshall Tennis and Pickleball today to discuss our current clinic schedule or to book a private evaluation.

From Court to Classroom: How Tennis Prepares Kids for Life

beachpress
Feb 12
3 min read

Most parents in Sussex County are not looking for another activity to fill the calendar. You are likely looking for something that actually sticks. You want an activity that teaches your child how to handle a tough situation, how to shake off a bad day, and how to work toward a hard goal without giving up.

That is a tall order for a sport, but tennis delivers. Here is why the research backs it up and why families from Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Millsboro, and Milton keep coming back to Dave Marshall Tennis and Pickleball.

Tennis and the Developing Brain

Researchers classify tennis as an open skill sport. This means every point is different. The ball height, speed, and spin change constantly. Kids cannot rely on muscle memory alone: they have to read the situation and make a decision in under a second.

Enhanced Focus: A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that children aged 8 to 12 with tennis experience scored significantly higher on executive function tests. These tests measure working memory, cognitive flexibility, and self-control.
Creative Problem Solving: Dr. Sheila Ohlsson Walker, a behavioral geneticist and former professional tennis player, notes that tennis builds resilient, creative, and adaptive brains. In her Psychology Today article, she explains that the neural pathways kids develop while tracking a ball are the same ones that fire when they work through a difficult math problem.

Confidence Built on Real Progress

There is a specific kind of confidence that comes from mastering something difficult. It is not the kind that comes from being told you are great. It is the kind that comes from struggling with a skill and finally figuring it out.

The USTA research on tennis and mental health confirms that youth who play tennis exhibit higher self-esteem and optimism. At DMTP, we see this daily. Whether it is a beginner in our junior clinics or an advanced player in a skills session, the game provides immediate, tangible feedback.

"When kids put in focused practice and see improvement, they learn that their effort directly impacts their results. That is a lesson that shapes how they approach everything else in life." - Dr. Dave Marshall

World-Class Training in Sussex County

It is rare to find this level of coaching expertise in a coastal community. Milford native, Dr. Dave Marshall is an active coach on the ATP and WTA tours. He served as the traveling coach for Hall of Famers and Grand Slam Champions, The Bryan Brothers, during their 2018 Wimbledon and U.S. Open title runs. His junior programs have produced over 100 state champions and 25 USTA national champions.

When you bring your child to our Lewes facility, they will learn from a team recognized worldwide by TennisResortsOnline.

Junior Programs at DMTP

Our 4.5-acre campus is designed for year-round development and serves families from Lewes, Rehoboth, Milton, and surrounding Sussex County communities.

Indoor and Outdoor Play: We feature 2 indoor hard courts for winter training and 4 outdoor courts (3 Har-Tru and 1 hard court) for the warmer months.
Junior Kids Clinics: Building a foundation of agility and stroke mechanics for younger players.
Skills and Drills: High-energy sessions for advanced players of all ages looking to compete.
Private Lessons: One-on-one instruction with our certified coaching staff to tackle specific technical goals.

Local Parent FAQ

How far is the club from Milton and Millsboro? Located on Plantations Boulevard in Lewes, we are a 15- to 20-minute drive for families coming from Milton and about 25 minutes from the Millsboro area.
Do we need a full membership for our child to join a clinic? We offer a Racquet Lite membership for just $5 per month. This provides full access to junior clinics and private lessons.
Are there activities for parents while kids are in clinics? Yes. While your child is on the court, many parents take advantage of our pickleball and tennis courts, as well as our new indoor golf simulator.
How do I find the right fit for my child? Contact the team at Dave Marshall Tennis and Pickleball today to discuss our current clinic schedule or to book a private evaluation.