More than 400 third graders from four Tallahassee-area elementary schools got a firsthand taste of professional tennis during Kids Days at the Tallahassee Tennis Challenger, held April 15-16 at\u00a0Forestmeadows\u00a0Park.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Students from Riley Elementary, Roberts Elementary, W.T. Moore\u00a0Elementary\u00a0and Hawks Rise Elementary each traveled to the tournament site for a day of on-court tennis activities. With 25 volunteers\u00a0assisting\u00a0on\u00a0court, the young students spent an hour learning the basics of the sport through fun, interactive\u00a0drills\u00a0and games.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
After their time on the courts, students had the opportunity to watch professional players compete in tournament matches, giving many of them their first exposure to high-level tennis.\u00a0The weather cooperated\u00a0and the energy across both days was electric.\u00a0<\/p>\n
USTA Florida played a key role in making the experience possible, funding the school buses that transported students to the tournament. The organization also provided each Riley Elementary student with a racquet and two red tennis balls to take home, ensuring the experience extended beyond the event and onto courts in their own neighborhoods.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The Tallahassee Tennis Association stepped up as well, providing free lunches for Riley Elementary students with the Venom Foundation, the local National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapter, handling the cooking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kids Days events like these are a powerful example of how tennis organizations at the local and state level can work together to introduce the sport to young people who may not otherwise have the opportunity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n