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Rated: E · Article · Sports · #1061802
Reaching large numbers of kids through Tennis Day at School.
Stepping Out of the Lines


*Exclaim*Published in March 2006 edition of Racquet Sports Industry - Your Serve column. *Exclaim*


If you want fresh ideas on how to reach and grab new participants into the game, picture this: Inside the school gym, a crowd of energetic third graders forms two lines. They are eager for the tennis coach to feed them a tennis ball. Once the first ball is hit, the line erupts with cheering. The students are itching to swing their racquets. Kids are hopping around excitedly, rooting their classmates on. Some even practice their strokes.

They have just received quick instructions on the proper grip and forehand ground stroke motion. Thirty minutes ago, these same third graders entered the gym with boundless energy, skipping and running, their little arms flailing in every direction. “Yeeesssss!” some of them exclaimed as they realized what was on the PE agenda for the day. “Tennis!” Excitement filled their voices.

It is Tennis Day at PE, a variation of the USA Schools Program. Often, this program is executed through school assembly, with only a few students actually picking up a racquet. However, in Bibb County ~GA~, the approach is different. Tennis Day is implemented at each individual school. Tennis instructors visit various elementary schools during regularly scheduled PE classes to introduce the game of tennis. With this slant on USA Schools tennis, everyone gets to pick up a racquet, and hit a ball over the net.

The altered program, first arrived on the scene five years ago, and is sponsored by the Macon-Bibb County Parks and Recreation Department. The City of Macon’s Tennis Manager/Pro, Carl Hodge and the Bibb County Public School System’s Athletic Director Raynett Evans, worked together to kick off the first Tennis Day during the winter months of 2000. Back then, only public schools were targeted. Today, private schools are also visited.

The program is designed with convenience in mind. By bringing the equipment, instructors, and enthusiasm directly into the schools, children are exposed to the game without having to schedule court time, find an instructor, or purchase tennis equipment. PE teachers need not know how to give a tennis lesson. Some of the program’s goals include: to introduce tennis to as many children as possible, to show children tennis is for everyone, and to demonstrate tennis is fun! Instructors bring portable tennis nets, racquets and tennis balls along with a curriculum. They stay the entire day at one school, giving all students an opportunity to wrap their fingers around a racquet and hit a ball over the net.

Before the end of each class, interested students can sign up to receive additional information about existing programs. Here is your big chance. You’ve created an atmosphere of fun and excitement; now provide them with information for your follow-up programs.

If you are looking to spruce up the way you introduce tennis to new juniors, increase your junior participation, or just expose more kids to the game, this method works. You can’t overlook the statistics on participation from the inception of this varied approach through successful implementation. In fact, since the launching of the first Tennis Day, in 2000, approximately 34 schools have been visited. Over 10,0000 students are taught tennis each year. At least 1,300 have played Ralleyball. Over 400 players have continued on to participate in other programs such as Player Development or Summer Camp tennis instruction. Also, a core group of junior tennis players has developed out of the Tennis Day Program. Currently, these players compete for their high school tennis teams as well as in USTA sanctioned tournaments at the local level (Middle Georgia area), state level, and even Regions.

While some programs are ongoing, Tennis Day only happens once or twice a year. This helps to guarantee excitement. Now, PE teachers contact us asking, “When are you going to come out and teach tennis? The kids love you guys!”

Instruction doesn’t have to happen inside the lines! Get out and step up your approach to introduction programs. Both long and short-term returns will result in amazing success.

A picture of me at work.


http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/issues/200603/200603yourserve.html
© Copyright 2006 NanoWriMo2018 Into the Earth (twinsis at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
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