The new QuickStart lines are down on hard courts across the US -- those faint lines that delineate smaller courts that get younger kids playing more successfully when combined with kid sized equipment. Now to get them out there.
Last week USTA Eastern set up a court inside the landmark Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York (the museum is in a retired aircraft carrier) giving hundreds of kids the chance to introduce themselves to the game in a very cool setting.
Pictured, Patrick McEnroe, General Manager of USTA Player Development, chats with two aspiring hot shots. “...this is great to get the message out to people,” said McEnroe during a clinic. “I think those of us inside the tennis world know about [Quick Start], but most people don’t. And this could show the average family with kids that tennis really can be kid-friendly.”
Lots of tennis events coming up in the US in March kicking off with Tennis Night in America March 5 at Madison Square Garden (where I once watched the Grateful Dead play...Times have changed).
I love the idea of the quick start tennis. I think it protects the younger kids from injuries sustained by the lack of muscle development. I also think it will help them develop the proper techniques.
I am hoping that the Quick Start program takes a little focus off of the competative aspect of the game at this young age. Having brought three kids through the competative USTA world I appreciate that the parents have a tendency to push the kids too hard. I believe the quick start program, although designed to increase the number of kids playing tennis, may alleviate some of the competative nature of the game.
Posted by: sandra | February 28, 2012 at 04:49 PM