May 2010

I saw a study last month that showed tennis as one of the fastest growing traditional sports in the United States.

According to the Physical Activity Council’s 2010 Sports, Fitness and Recreation Participation Overview, the number of people playing tennis grew 43 percent from 2000 to 2009.

Another study showed tennis with its highest participation rate (30.1 million players) in 25 years.

The sport reached unparalleled heights in the 1980’s with stars such as McEnroe, Connors and Evert competing for grand slam titles. Municipal courts across the country were packed much like our area courts are during the evenings.

Over the next decade, though, the sport failed to grow even with some of the most talented players to ever play the game.

Now that we’ve got some momentum behind us again, I think there are three things that need to be done to ensure that we don’t lose that momentum: retain our current players, introduce the game to others, and get kids involved.

As you’ll see in this newsletter, the SOKY Tennis Board of Directors has worked hard to try and provide opportunities for players in each of those categories.

For those of you who are already playing, there are numerous opportunities such as the various USTA leagues offered throughout the year. If you’re having trouble finding someone to play with, come out to Tuesday Night Tennis and we’ll find a match for you.

If you have kids that you think might like to play tennis, the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation camps are a great introduction to the game. If they already know some of the basics, get them involved in the SOKY Junior League. It’s a great way for them to learn how to compete in match play and meet some other players their age.

The biggest challenge of all, though, is introducing the game to new players. Tennis can be an intimidating sport. Do I need special clothes? Do I need an expensive racquet?

By the way, the answer to both of those question is no.

SOKY Tennis will be offering another free Adult Beginner Clinic on June 13 in conjunction with the SOKY NTRP. We hope that surrounding these new players with a tournament atmosphere we’ll wet their appetite. Were also offering a league later this summer strictly for beginners.

But we need your help! You are our best recruiting tool.

Tell a friend about it. Tell your coworkers about it. Help us grow the game that we all love.

See you on the courts.

Chad Young
SOKY Tennis Association
President