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Last call for the gotta play tennis podcast

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Looking for a special gift? 
Need something different and unique?
Want your gift to stand-out from the rest?

Tennis Lesson Gift Certificates
(lessons fulfilled in 2021)


(follow the link for details)

Give someone the gift of the
lifetime sport!

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

UPDATE: No Fall session for Gotta Play Tennis Kids in 2020

After much discussion and soul searching, Trish and I decided to not risk a Fall session of tennis this pandemic year of 2020. We will see what the future brings in the Spring of 2021. 

Thank you to those who have expressed interest in our program. We hope to see you next year provided life gets safer and better.

Ron & Trish Miller

Thursday, July 9, 2020

NEWS: NJ Health Department lists tennis as a "low risk" sport for exposure to Covid-19

Governor Murphy of NJ, in Executive order No. 149, has placed tennis in the Low-Risk category as it relates to exposure to Covid-19. Ordered on May 29, 2020, this "Guidance for Sports Activities" was published by the New Jersey Department of Health. Low-Risk is defined as "sports that can be done individually, do not involve person-to-person contact and do not routinely entail individuals interacting within six feet of one another."  Tennis was allowed to resume, for both practices and competitions, on June 22nd. That being said, the guidance always allows local municipalities the discretion to open or close any facilities as they see fit.

Has there ever been a better time to play tennis? If you are still not convinced, read this 2018 New York Times article entitled "The Best Sport for a Longer Life? Try Tennis." Or check out the clinical features of tennis by Jack Groppel, PhD and Nicholas DiNubile, MD in a paper entitled "Tennis: For the Health of It!"

Still not sure? Try it! Tennis rackets and balls are inexpensive, so the barrier to entry is low. But let me make a recommendation: do not buy optic yellow tennis balls in a tube.  These are essentially the same speed and bounce used by professionals. Are you a professional? If not, then try either Orange or Green balls. They bounce at 50% and 75% of a standard tennis ball, and they are available at sporting goods stores, big box stores, and online. Your playing experience will be much more enjoyable with a ball that is more beginner-friendly.

Saturday, June 27, 2020

Private lessons now available (with safety protocols) updated 6/27

Private lessons are now available to those seeking to either learn a great social-distancing sport or improve upon their current skills.

These lessons are NOT part of GlouTwp. Recreation and are provided independently by Ron Miller, PTR certified instructor with over 30+ years experience teaching tennis skills to adults and children alike.

See link to Private/semi-private lessons for more information.

Safety protocols:

Off-court (my practices)
  • a mask is worn whenever present in public spaces
  • regular daily temperature checks completed
  • awareness and avoidance of any local hotspots of virus spread
On-court (all parties)
  • initial temperature checks of participant(s) and coach
  • hand sanitizer usage after each drill or activity and at end of lesson
  • separate ball pick-up baskets tagged for each participant
    • baskets sanitized with antibacterial wipes
  • social distancing in effect for all activities
    • most activities are facilitated on opposite sides of the net
  • masks are NOT worn on-court (by either player or coach) as they restrict the breathing of any participant who will accelerate their breathing upon exertion
  • no fist bumps, high fives or elbow rubs; only verbal cues and spoken praise
  • participants are recommended to keep their hands away from their face at all times
  • players provide their own racket and beverage
The spread of Covid-19 has been shown to have very limited spreading potential when socially distanced, in an outside environment, and in warmer, sunnier weather.

Monday, May 18, 2020

When will we see tennis again? (Updated 5/25)

From GlouTwp. Recreation on March 17:

All Spring classes and registrations are now canceled until further notice.  The online platform Community Pass has been disabled for public viewing of classes.  As we move forward, we will add classes once we are told by the CDC that group activities are safe.  CDC is recommending no groups larger than 10 for the next 8 weeks currently.  Group activities sponsored by the Twp are canceled until further notice.  As of right now we are not doing any registrations, sponsored events or programs.  We are encouraging our residents to practice social distancing.  Running any classes would completely contradict that.  DO NOT offer private programs, classes, etc.  that contradict CDC recommendations on any social gatherings.  If we are notified that a program, lessons, or any events, etc have taken place, you will no longer be welcome as an instructor.  Please stay safe and healthy!

Hello everyone. Trish and I hope you are all staying safe during this crisis period in our state's history.

When will tennis once again be available? That is THE question. The true answer is "I don't know." Obviously, all scheduled programs were canceled due to the state shutdown. Parks have just reopened recently, but tennis courts have not (UPDATE 5/25: GlouTwp. Community Park & Point Ariel Park Tennis Courts are now OPEN to the public). Even if they were, no social gatherings are permitted and that includes organized sports.

Therefore, we will all just need to take a wait-and-see posture as the weeks go by toward summer.

Once I know something, I will make sure to post information to help us moving forward.

Thanks, and continue to social distance, wear masks when around others, and please don't assume we are business, as usual, anyy time soon. Let us not forget that our state currently has lost over 10,000 people to Covid-19.

I love tennis, and it will return. When it does, I hope to hear you say "I was born ready."