REFLECTIONS: Staying sharp and physically competent thanks to tennis

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a webinar provided by the Tennis Industry Association (TIA) and presented by Dan Zeman, M.S., Exercise Physiologist. The event was a part of their Spring/Summer Webinar Learning Series and was entitled "Re-think Tennis: Promoting to the Baby Boomer Generation." 

For those not aware, this named group of people is sometimes identified by a birthdate that ranges from 1946 to 1964.  Therefore, they would in fact be today's grandparents with ages between 48 and 70 years young. Now you might be thinking that this certainly cannot be a prime marketing target for this quite physical game. However, the focus of the webinar was on how to promote tennis (in the words of the TIA) "as a activity that will allow them to live independently, reduce their risk of future falls, maintain muscle mass, improve balance, agility and coordination plus stay mentally sharp." In other words, tennis is both a lifetime and life-sustaining sport that provides assistance in the quality of life well beyond our athletic prime.

During the webinar, which was an interactive session, I asked the question, "Can you address the value of those programs not located in tennis clubs but instead through recreation centers–especially sessions that get parents actively involved on the court with their kids?" The response was very positive. Dr. Zeman said, "I applaud that question because any time you can get social engagement at a family level you really are doing a great service to that community or that family."

Anyone who has participated in the programs from Gotta Play Tennis Kids is aware of how the activities provided are engaging to kids, parents, and even grandparents.  The focus is not on one's muscularity or agility prowess. Rather the motivation is on one's ability to learn some new and very fun skills amongst 5-10 year old children. 

Trish and I are proud to provide this kind of service to families, to communities, to parents, and even grandparents. We are glad to hear that some others of greater notoriety are of like mind and that they see the value of what we strive to provide each and every time we step out onto the court.

Fall 2017 QuickStart Tennis program to be held in Gloucester Twp.

What is Gotta Play Tennis Kids?

(click link above to see our YouTube video)

Summer 2017 QuickStart Tennis program scheduled for Deptford Township

UPDATE

Summer 2017 Tennis in Deptford Twp. has been cancelled due to low registration. Please see information on our Fall 2017 Program available at GlouTwp. Community Park.

ATTENTION GLOUCESTER TWP: Reminder

REMINDER

THERE IS NO SESSION ON JULY 1ST

Week 5 of the 2007 Summer QuickStart Tennis will be held on July 8th as previously mentioned.

Have a great Fourth of July holiday weekend.

ATTENTION GLOUCESTER TWP: Time Change 6/24

 TIME CHANGE 

UPDATE 6/24

Our Spring 2017 Tennis session on Saturday, 6/24 will begin at 12:15PM and not
the usual 9AM.
We will end at 1:45PM.

THIS IS A 1 WEEK CHANGE ONLY!

This adjustment is due to the early day rainy weather and to accommodate our 6th Annual Tennis Family Fun Day event beginning at 10:30AM.

For those who volunteered to help, please see us between 10 and 10:15AM at the courts. If you are not a scheduled volunteer, feel free to participate and have fun with other members of the community and their children during this event on the courts.

ATTENTION GLOUCESTER TWP: Weather Alert

 Weather Alert 

UPDATE 6/17

Tennis for 6/17 has been cancelled due to rainy weather and extended rain-filled forecast.

Rain Date makeup: July 8

(this will be Week 5-there will be no tennis session held on July 1)

6th Annual QuickStart Tennis Family Fun Day in Gloucester Township

THANK YOU

Thank you to all in the community who participated in this event. 

Special thanks to all the volunteers who help make this event possible.

• Event is totally FREE
• All South Jersey families welcome
• Showcases QuickStart program for kids ages 5-10 years old
• No equipment necessary (can bring your own racquet)
• No tennis experience necessary

Bring yourself, family members, refreshment, and a smile!

Gloucester Township Day 2017

Attention all students of Gloucester Twp. Spring Tennis:

REMINDER

No session will be held on June 3rd due to our presence at Gloucester Township Day 2017

Stop by our booth and say hello!

Gloucester Twp. 2017 Late Spring Tennis program

2017 GlouTwp. Spring Tennis PHOTOS

Gloucester Twp. Recreation website

What is QuickStart tennis and Gotta Play Tennis Kids?

Why makes our Gotta Play Tennis Kids program special?

It was once stated to me (Ron Miller) that, since parents want their kids to progress from one level to the next, the only way to accomplish this is through competition. Therefore, the concepts we promote—learning how to hit the tennis ball, move on the court, and consider basic tactics—does not lead anywhere when a score, indicating a win or loss, is not present.

While not disagreeing that progress forward is always positive, and also agreeing that much can be learned in a point-oriented environment, I believe the goals of what Trish and I seek to accomplish are lost in this way of thinking. Our mission is a simple one: introduce families to the wonderful sport of tennis and provide them with some basic skills so that, as a family, they can enjoy the exercise, fulfillment, health, athleticism, sportsmanship, sibling camaraderie and family unity that tennis can provide. 

If our mission sounds like something that interests you, and you are someone who would prefer to interact with your children and others in sport instead of sideline-sitting and watching the action and fun pass you by, then this program is for YOU!

Team vs. Individual Sport

Is tennis an individual or team sport? Let's consider the big picture. Usually the first organized competitive play for kids in recreational tennis (those not involved in tennis clubs) is the high school tennis team. This might be followed by participation on a college tennis team. Yes, individuals play against each other on the court in either singles or doubles competition. But the team concept is obviously not foreign to tennis. For example in professional tennis, countries around the world vie for the Davis Cup trophy each year as players team together in competition. 
The opportunity for an individual to make a significant impact on a team's success is much greater in this sport versus others since players get considerably more time in actual play. Tennis has no specific time clock, and therefore match time stretches or contracts according to the abilities of the players on-court. Games won by a singles player or doubles team add into the overall score of their school's team.

Tennis is a lifetime sport! Can the same be said of soccer, baseball, lacrosse, football?

The British Journal of Sports Medicine recently published a study comparing the risk of death as affected by various sports and activities. Here were the conclusions:
Swimming was linked to a 28% reduced risk of death, while the figure was 47% for racket sports and 27% for aerobic exercise such as dance. Neither running nor football (American soccer) or rugby was linked to a reduced risk of death.
Don't you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to at least try tennis?

ATTENTION DEPTFORD TWP: Weather Alert

 Weather Alert 

UPDATE 5/13

Deptford Twp. Tennis is CANCELLED for today, 5/13/2017, due to rain, wet courts, and a forecast of no sunshine and more rain.

Please check back on this website for information on how we will handle this rain date.

Local Youth Tennis Offering in Deptford Twp. for Spring 2017

NOTE: Schedule Update 4/25/2017

*LATEST SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS*
Wk 1
April 15 
90 minutes 
9-10:30am
COMPLETED

April 22
Rainout

Wks 2-3
April 29
120 minutes 
11:30-1:30
(time shifted to accommodate 5K Run)

Wks 3-4
May 6
120 minutes 
9-11:00am

Wks 4-5
May 13
120 minutes 
9-11:00am



NOTE: Schedule Update 4/21/2017

*TIME HAS CHANGED*
FROM: 9:00AM to 10:30AM
TO: 9:00AM to 11:00AM

This is thanks to new information from Deptford Twp. indicating that Fasola Park
will be closed for their 5K run on April 29th.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you are concerned about this last-minute change, please contact Deptford Twp. Recreation as they continually keep changing Fasola Park availability.

NOTE: Schedule Update 4/10/2017

QuickStart Tennis will run for 5 Weeks and NOT 6 Weeks as originally scheduled.

STARTING DATE HAS MOVED FROM 4/8 TO 4/15

Time will be 9:00AM to 10:30AM

Total hours do not change; only total weeks change.

ONLINE PRE-REGISTRATION CLOSED

QuickStart Tennis Spring 2017 Pre-registration CLOSED

check out the following link:

http://www.gottaplaytennis.net/p/gotta-play-tennis-kids.html

ATTENTION DEPTFORD TWP: Weather Alert

 Weather Alert 

UPDATE 4/22

Deptford Twp. Tennis is CANCELLED for today, 4/22/2017, due to rain, wet courts, and a forecast of no sunshine and more rain.

Please check back on this website for more early Spring Tennis session information for
Deptford Twp.

NEWS: Historic matchup at 2017 Australian Open Men's Singles Final

THE PAST

2008 Wimbledon Men's Singles Final

Roger Federer 

#1 in the world

age 26

vs. 

Rafael Nadal

#2 in the world

age 21

Duration: 4 hours, 48 minutes

Winner: 
Rafael Nadal

Score: 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(8–10), 9–7

Photo from 2008 Wimbledon

THE PRESENT

2017 Australian Open Men's Singles Final

Roger Federer 

#17 in the world

age 35

vs. 

Rafael Nadal

#9 in the world

age 30

Duration: 3 hours, 38 minutes 

Winner: 
Roger Federer

Score: 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3



Roger Federer

18 Grand Slam titles
(most of any other player)

Career Grand Slam (winning all 4 majors)
Australian Open, Wimbledon, French Open, US Open
(one of only 8 men)

Only player to win 3 Grand Slams 5 times each

Gotta Play Tennis highlighted in the Spring 2017 issue of NetPlay Magazine

NetPLAY magazine is the official magazine of the
USTA (United States Tennis Association)
Middle States

Allegheny Mountain District | Central Pennsylvania District
Delaware District | Eastern Pennsylvania District
Philadelphia Area Tennis District | New Jersey District

Rally Stars Junior Team Tennis coming to Deptford Township for kids 10 and under

BASICS OF PROGRAM
(GPTKids modified version of Rally Stars Junior Team Tennis)

• Open to players in the South Jersey area ages 5-10
• 6 weeks of guided practice and play (Saturdays)
• 30-minute practice and 60-minutes match play once a week
• Goal: each player compete in minimum of two 7-point matches per week (singles or doubles)
• teams rotate to compete against other teams

• Short, easy-score game/match format (playing to 7 points)
• Low compression, slower bouncing balls and modified (smaller) court space
• Age bracket will determine modification of play
• Play may make use of Red Felt or Foam balls and/or playground balls (age 5-6)

• Play tennis as a team sport just like other youth sports
• Everyone plays and everyone has fun
• Team T-shirts included in registration (each team has their color)
• Players gain a point for their color-coded team every time they win a match
• Team with the most games after 6 weeks are the overall WINNERS
• There are no LOSERS since everyone grows as a player from the experience

• Registration in Rally Stars Team Tennis strongly recommends participation in another tennis program such as GPTKids QuickStart Tennis or comparable program
• Registration is online ONLY through USTA Tennis Link

• USTA Membership is NOT required to participate
• Membership to USTA is FREE for first-time members ages 10 and under
• USTA Membership ID must be set-up during registration

• Parent Team Managers trained at SESSION 1 (45 minutes early) and then utilized to assist students with match play (scoring, ball pick-up, etc.)
• Adults must assist on-court in some capacity
• Awards for winning team at end of program (award to be determined)

F.A.Q. 

(current plans reflected in list; adjustments may be made
as deemed necessary by coordinators at any time)

• What is Rally Stars Junior Team Tennis?
• A competitive format of tennis play combining the aspects of team camaraderie, individual successes, learning the basics of competition, and just plain fun!

• Who can participate?
• Any child ages 5-10 within local travel distance to Fasola Park, Deptford, NJ

• How long is the program?
• 6 weeks; 1-½ hours per week (includes practice & instruction time along with competition)

• What is the cost?
• Currently, combined cost of program is $81.05 (which includes the USTA Tennis Link fee).

• Is there any prerequisite for playing Rally Stars JTT?
• No, but we strongly recommend previous play in either one of our Gotta Play Tennis Kids QuickStart Tennis programs or something similar. Players will enjoy themselves more with a minimum of rallying skills present.
• What level of play are we to expect?
• This is intended to be a beginners level competition. This is NOT for seasoned club players who regularly participate in USTA competition

• What do we need to supply?
• Nothing beyond some refreshment (water bottle or sports drink). We supply all other equipment. You may use your own racquet provided it is appropriately sized for your ages and height.

• Do players receive team jerseys?
• Yes, team colors will be assigned and T-shirts of their team color provided to each player

• What is the playing format?
• We are using 36’ QuickStart courts (18’ wide x 36’ long). Six smaller courts are created from three full-size courts with nets/tapes.
• Matches last 7 points (or 10 minutes max.)
• Singles
• One point is gained for at team after each match win; ½ point gained by non-winner for participation
• Doubles
• One point is gained by each player of a doubles team after each match win; 1 point gained by non-winning team for participation

• How many matches will be played?
• Goal is play as many as possible, but time constraints will limit us to a maximum of 60 minutes (10 minutes each match max. = 6 matches each 10 minutes)
• Total matches played are likely to be about 25-30 matches in 60 minutes
• Each player should play at least 2-3 matches each week.

• What role to parents/guardians play?
• Adults play a vital role and allow us to run such a program. This is not a spectator activity for parents/guardians. All will be asked to participate as Managers.

• What is the role of the Manager? (with enough adult participation, no one person need take on all of these duties-Many hands make light work!)
• Assign players to their courts for match play (with Coordinators assistance)
• Keep time (with provided stopwatch)
• Keep players on task & track score (with provided visual scorekeeping clips)
• Toss balls into play as a serve (typically kids ages 5-7)
• Pick up balls on court to keep players from tripping over loose balls
• Record scores on provided sheet on clipboard

• How can Players/Managers know the outcome of the matches?
• Coordinators will be collecting scores from individual Managers
• All players have access to online scores on Tennis Link
• Scoreboard will be set up to track matches each week

Gift Certificates for tennis lessons ON SALE at 2016 prices until January 31st

Looking for a special gift? 

Need something different and unique?

Want your gift to stand-out from the rest? 

Pre-paid Tennis Lessons for 2017

Why not give The Gift of TENNIS to a friend, family member or another loved-one.

Purchase tennis lesson GIFT CERTIFICATES in denominations
 of 3 or more lessons (price discount applies when purchased in 3-lesson bundle).

Here is another idea...
Why not bundle some lesson certificates with a new tennis racket and some tennis balls?
Contact me for information and advice on tennis equipment purchases.

Q & A

Q. How do I purchase them?

A. Send me an email and make your request. Special discounts apply in 3-lesson bundles.

Email: gottaplaytennis.ron@gmail.com

Q. How do I pay for them?

A. Check or money order made out to: Ron Miller, and mailed to address provided in my email reply to you.

Q. Can anyone purchase them? 

A. You must be in the local area of South Jersey since lessons are held at Gloucester Twp. or Deptford Twp. tennis court facilities (unless you are willing to travel).

Q. How are lessons scheduled? 

A. I make use of Google calendar to schedule lessons. A read-only calendar link will be sent to your email showing tentative dates scheduled (all dates are subject to change; weather permitting)

Lessons will be scheduled for evenings and/or weekends

Q. Can lesson begin and end at any time during the year?

A. Lessons will begin after April 1st (weather permitting) and must be completed by June 30th.

Q. Is there a limit to how many lessons can be purchased? 

A. There is a limit of 6 lessons (or two 3-lesson bundles)

Q. How can I find out more information about you or the lessons?

A. Visit my website at: www.gottaplaytennis.net and/or send me an email and I will be happy to discuss lessons with you.

Health Benefits of Tennis

Visit the USTA website: https://www.usta.com/Improve-Your-Game/SportScience/114688_Health_Benefits_of_Tennis_Why_Play_Tennis/

Tennis INDOORS

Limited court times available INDOORS at a tennis facility located in Williamstown, NJ during winter months of January thru March or July & August

(simply add $30/hour to instructional fees)

Dates and times TO BE DETERMINED by court availability

ATTENTION GLOUCESTER TWP: Weather Update

 Weather Alert 

UPDATE 10/22

GlouTwp. Fall Tennis is CANCELLED for today, 10/22/2016, due to rain, wet courts, and a forecast of no sunshine and more rain.

We will now follow our RAIN DATE schedule.

Session 5 will be held on 11/12/2016.

TENNIS PARENTS OF GOTTA PLAY TENNIS KIDS: combined sessions of ages 5-10

Parents, Guardians, Relatives, or anyone responsible for our young tennis players:

Recently I received comments from a parent expressing concern over the combination of age groups 5-7 and 8-10 in the same session. Always being one to face feedback head-on, I felt the need to shed some light on the how and the why of this adjustment to our tennis instructional strategy.

These are just some of the things we considered:

• How to eliminate the need to cancel age-bracketed sessions due to low registration
• How to allow instructors more time to plan in advance for a broader age group avoiding the last-minute planning required when classes combine
• How to provide parents with more certainty in the schedule eliminating the need for late week changes before the Week 1 session
• How to logistically create sub-groups keeping the session moving quickly and maximizing player engagement
• How to inject mentorship and responsibility as older players with more developed athletic ability act as models to younger children
• How to reduce the time required to cover all age groups creating a time slot in which to expand programs with new future offerings
• How to save time for parents who may currently enroll siblings, from different age sessions, into two individual classes
• How to allows siblings of all ages to work together, along with parents or guardians, at developing their skills
• How to demonstrate the concept that tennis skills are age-independent and consistent

As you can see, there is always more behind the curtain then one realizes.

In order to provide family friendly, award-winning programs such as Gotta Play Tennis Kids in a community setting, we need the support of all of you! Parents and guardians are our most valuable asset in spreading the word of tennis to other families. We have worked hard to keep our program fees very competitive for kids activities. For example, if you chose to attend a QuickStart program at a tennis club, you would find the cost of the program to be double our registration fee for less time and no parent involvement.

We are very grateful you decided to have your child (children) get involved with our programs and tennis in general, and we hope that you will continue along with them as you both develop your skills and enjoyment with this great family sport.

NEWS: Fall QuickStart Tennis alive and well!

Fall 2016 QuickStart Tennis

— Program Dates —

October 8  - November 5 (5 weeks)

Rain Date: November 12

AGES: 5-10 program

Time: 9:30 - 11:00AM

LOCATION: Gloucester Twp. Community Park

Peter Cheeseman & Hickstown Rds.
Sicklerville, NJ

 REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED

September 7th (residents)

September 12th (non-residents)

(no online registration)

 NON-RESIDENT REGISTRATION 

(non-resident fee is $10 payable to Twp. of Gloucester)

Monday-Thursday 8:00AM—5:45PM 

Extended evening hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 7:30pm

Gloucester Twp. Recreation Building
80 Broadacres Drive, Clementon, NJ
(Next to the Cherrywood development)

Click this link for the Gloucester Twp. Recreation site