Permanent QuickStart Tennis Lines (Santa Monica, CA)
Program/Project Title: Permanent QuickStart Tennis LinesGoal: To encourage kids that they can move up and participate on a full length court in USTA's Junior Team Tennis during the fall and spring seasons.
Leader/Advocate Organization: The Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD)
Program/Project Size: 7 Elementary School Playgrounds
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Population/Community Size: 3,200 students - 50% White; 31% Hispanic; 9.3% African American
Time frame (planning/execution): Project completed this spring of 2009
Budget: $3,600
Funding Sources/Partnerships: USTA and SMMUSD
Program/Project Description: The Tennis Patrons of Santa Monica (TPSM), the non-for-profit Community Tennis Association and backbone of Santa Monica tennis since 1947, direct After-School Tennis classes on seven (7) elementary school playgrounds under the umbrella of the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District.
Teaching After-School Tennis on a playground with hundreds of kids running around playing every other sport imaginable while trying to teach, is definitely no easy task. No tennis court lines or nets; tennis balls flying everywhere, to say nothing of the possible injuries from getting hit. Even the most experienced, patient teaching Pros can find this situation challenging.
So when USTA's QuickStart Tennis was introduced across the country, the TPSM jumped at the idea of using the format and equipment as the answer for injecting exciting competition into their lessons; promoting greater attention and success in learning the game.
Results Achieved/Impact: So successful were tennis class registration results using the new QuickStart format, that TPSM President, Bill Nissley, approached the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District as a partner in applying for a USTA Facility Assistant Grant.
Now, all SMMUSD Elementary Schools enjoy an end-of-season Rallyball Tournament Day using the QuickStart Tennis format. 85 players representing seven schools, registered for the June 13, 2009 event taking place at their local Reed Park.
Below: Group picture of Darby Elementary kids from one of four elementary schools (over 350 total) who received In-School QuickStart lessons on each of the four elementary school playgrounds.
Below: Court Set-Up for QuickStart Tournament
Words of Wisdom: Visit www.growingtennis.com to register or update information on your facility!
Contact Information:
Diane Brooks
Phone Number: 310-455-9916
E-mail Address: brooks@scta.usta.com
Website Address: www.smmusd.org
Submitted 6/30/2009