With 10 and Under Tennis sweeping the nation, the Rochester Athletic Club in Rochester, Minn., wanted to see what the buzz was about. Not sure of the best way to introduce the initiative to its members, the RAC decided to go all in with a 6-week 10 and Under Tennis League "and see what happened."
What happened was beyond anyone’s expectations as the success was so great, the club started its second 6-week session just after the first of the year. Almost all 25 kids from session one are back, in addition to a few others who learned about the program along the way.
"We found that 10 and Under Tennis really gives the younger kids a chance to play games and have success," RAC teaching pro and Jr. Team Tennis local organizer Jennifer O’Hara said. "Parents enjoy seeing the kids play this adjusted format as it looks just like the tennis they play, only on a smaller scale, and they see their kids having success."
Check out this video of the kids playing on a 60-foot court!
In the fall, the program divided the participants into season-long teams over the 6-week session. In addition to weekly match play, there was a season-ending pizza party and every participant received a team t-shirt and medal for playing. The RAC used five courts each week – one with four 36-foot courts and four with 60-foot lines taped on them. The two tennis pros and coaches working with the league – Mike Lipinski and Steve Tacl – would tape the lines on the regulation 78-foot courts each week prior to the kids arriving (Soon they will not have to do this as the Rochester Athletic Club is looking to paint permanent QuickStart Lines on some of its tennis courts with financial assistance from the USTA.).
Anyone can turn their court into a 36-foot or 60-foot court, you just need a little tape!
Admittedly, the first week was "a bit of controlled chaos" as the players, parents and coaches all got used to the adjusted 10 and Under format. The pros found by week 3, the kids were very self sufficient as the older kids (8-10 years) playing on the 60-foot courts needed very little help, and the younger kids (5-8 years) playing on the 36-foot courts were able to manage their matches most of the time.
"The kids improved quickly playing points each week and the pros were impressed with the long rallies they were able to sustain," O’Hara said. "With the older kids, we even saw them beginning to construct points."
See this rally on the 60-foot court!
The results and photos from each session were soon posted on a bulletin board weekly within the tennis area, which was a huge hit with both the parents and the kids as they could track their progress. It was also a great marketing tool with the other club members who could see the fun the kids were having, encouraging further program registration.
The player and parent feedback has also been overwhelmingly positive about the league.
"It is pretty fun," seven-year-old Will Repede said. "You get to play against a lot of teams and different people instead of the same ones each week."
Check out this winner on the 36-foot court!
The league t-shirts were also a huge hit with the kids as many of them started to wear their shirts to school on Friday, promoting that Saturday was a "match day" – just like the youth football players do – while also showing that sense of pride in being part of this special league.
Brenda Gimpl, whose son, Glen, is back for the second session, recognized immediately the impact of the program – and the t-shirt - on him.
"Team tennis has really made a difference for my son. Though he took to the idea of playing matches and being on a team, he still felt ‘alone’ on the court. When he received his t-shirt, he could tell who was on his team and that was the swing in the pendulum for him. He then could cheer and support his teammates and wanted to practice with his team members."
The RAC also sees the value in having parents involved with the program and encourages them to help each Saturday by serving as court monitors or helping to tape the lines down prior to the matches.
More success on the 36-foot court!
Christine Darrington, whose daughter, Abby, saw the pictures on the bulletin board from the first session and wanted to join the league, likes that she can be a part of her child’s experience.
"As a parent I like this format because you can help your kids with things like the score and what side they are supposed to serve from …basically making sure they stay on track."
Keeping kids "on track" and enjoying their time on court is the key to keeping players interested in the game – especially the younger players. Although involved extensively in the discussions regarding the 10 and Under Tennis initiative for some time, USTA Northern Executive Director Mike Goldammer, admittedly, was not fully convinced it was the only way for kids 10 and under to learn the game … that was until he signed up his sons Caden (6) and Tygen (5) for the program at the RAC.
"Within 10 minutes of the first session, I was convinced this was the ONLY way for kids 10 and under to play tennis," Goldammer said. "The success my boys, as well as all the kids, were having was immediate, and the smiles on their faces, win or lose, lasted the entire session."
To learn more about 10 and Under Tennis and to see more exciting videos, click here.