March Into Tennis
It is going to be 70 degrees today which means the kids are going to want to be outside after school – guaranteed! With the warmer weather, kids across the country are ready to get out and play in the sunshine again. If your child is looking for something new to try, why not TENNIS? Tennis is like swimming – it is a life-long sport that just about anyone can learn and enjoy. It is a sport you can play just for fun from a friendly match with friends at the neighborhood tennis court or you can join a league or competitive program. Need to know more?
USTA, the governing body for USA Tennis, has so much going on in the month of March to get your kids interested in tennis, let them give it a try or to help experienced players step up their game.
Starting with their 10 and Under Tennis program they are working towards getting more kids to participate in tennis using modified equipment and courts tailored to a child’s size. By featuring shorter and lighter racquets, slower-bouncing balls, smaller courts and simplified scoring, children learn to play more quickly and easily while having more fun in the process. If you are interested in getting more on kids tennis opportunities in your community or even how to decide what equipment to buy, the 10 and Under Tennis site will be very helpful.
Other initiatives that USTA has starting this spring that can help jumpstart your child’s interest in tennis include:
Tennis Night in America and March into Tennis
The USTA will leverage “Tennis Night in America” to generate awareness for youth tennis and kick off a month-long promotional drive to get kids active. Throughout March, more than 1,200 youth tennis events will take place across the country. A variety of organizers including clubs, after-school programs, parks and recreation, Community Tennis Associations and others will host youth registration events, Play Days and launching Kids’ Tennis Clubs as part of the USTA’s largest-ever youth tennis recruitment effort.
SmashZone Mobile Tour
To reach new audiences to promote health and fitness, the USTA is hitting the road and traveling across the county. SmashZone, the premiere interactive fan experience at the US Open, will introduce youth tennis to kids and adults. SmashZone is equipped with tennis courts, interactive games and prizes. Audiences will have the opportunity to play tennis games right then and there. The events will allow participants to get a racquet in their hand from the start.
Tennis Really Rocks
The USTA and Nickelodeon recently launched the “Tennis Really Rocks” sweepstakes, in which one lucky kid will win the grand prize – a trip for four to New York to attend Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, the annual kick-off event to the US Open; as well as hang with stars of Nickelodeon’s How to Rock, Cymphonique Miller and Max Schneider. Throughout the year, Miller and Schneider will make appearances at USTA events aimed at kids and be featured in commercial and promotional spots promoting youth tennis.
Get outside and play!