MORE THAN 500 COURTS LINED FOR YOUTH COMPETITION AT
TENNIS FACILITIES ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST
The number of junior-lined tennis courts recently surpassed the
10,000 mark, a watershed moment in the development for junior tennis in America.
Here in the Southwest, the USTA with the help and cooperation of many key facilities across our area, have lined more than 500 courts for youth competition in the last couple of years.
Existing infrastructure is the key to developing 10 & Under tennis, as the tennis industry recommends kids to play on scaled-down courts at early ages to increase competency and enjoyment. The International Tennis Federation and USTA approved a
rule change in January 2012 that all worldwide competition under 10 years of age be held on kid-sized courts.
This is a worldwide industry push, and one USTA Southwest has definitely gotten behind. Courts all across our areas have been built or painted in public parks, schoolyards, tennis facilities and at local community-based youth organizations.
Coupled with slower, lower compression balls and scaled down courts, tennis becomes a more satisfying experience for kids early on, and allows them to develop the tactical sense and skills, as well as better ball-striking technique that will be important for later development.
Our USTA Southwest Section has worked tirelessly with many facilities to help them get assistance grants to paint lines for competition on 36' and 60' courts. The goal is to have more of these courts available for practice and development, as well as competition. Last year, USTA Southwest held its first-ever 10 and Under Section Championships on scaled-down courts at the Southwest Junior Closed.
To see the complete list of facilities in the Southwest with courts built for 10 & Under development and competition, click
HERE.
To add your facility to the list above or to learn more about 10 & Under Tennis, please contact USTA Southwest Junior Development Manager Geoff Embry at
embry@southwest.usta.com.