POSTED ON 7/28/11 | When Rome’s First Friday Concert Series resumes on Aug. 5, young and old in attendance will be able to raise a racket – make that a tennis racquet. In cooperation with the Coosa Valley Tennis Association, the USTA Georgia 10 and Under Sport Court Tour will be making a stop in Rome for the event and will give children and adults the opportunity to get a taste of what it’s like to play on a specially made36-foot court designed specifically to promote the national USTA 10-Under program.
“This court designed for juniors 10 & under has been well received by both all participants young and old because it makes playing tennis fun and east,” said Paige Miller, Director of Sales and Marketing for USTA Georgia. “USTA Georgia is using this unique way of bringing tennis to the people to educate parents and juniors about the size appropriate courts, racquets and balls.
“We have reached nearly 1.5 million people in the past year and look forward to continuing to spread the word about this new revolution in tennis.”
The court will allow children who are interested in playing tennis the chance to learn the sport that has been literally downsized thanks to a new shift in the USTA’s effort to get more kids playing tennis.
Instead of having to learn the game with adult equipment on an adult court, which has been the case in the past, children can know be introduced to tennis with every aspect of it being scaled down to their age and size, something that has been done in youth baseball, football, basketball, soccer and other programs.
In addition to the smaller 18’x36’ foot court, smaller racquets, smaller balls with less compression and a smaller net are being used.
While children will be able to play on the Sport Court, they will also have the opportunity to learn more about the 10-Under program that includes a one-year free USTA 10-Under Junior Membership, and how to sign-up for the CVTA’s upcoming Junior Team Tennis.
Adults, however, will also be given a chance to see what the new program is like and are invited to take swings on the court, and for those who are interested in playing for the first time, volunteers from the CVTA will be on hand to sign-up newcomers to the Tennis 101 program in which each registered player receives a free racquet and four weeks of lessons from a local pro.
Next week’s First Friday at Bridgepoint Plaza in downtown Rome is from 7-10 p.m. with the Infinity Show Band as the featured musical performer.
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