Sports

US Tennis Association to Offer Plays Days for Kids

Tennis, anyone?

If your child loves to lob tennis balls, here's a great opportunity. 

Hillsborough and Pinellas counties in Florida's Region 3 will be rolling out a number of United States Tennis Association Florida Tennis Play Days for kids of all ages in June and August.

Find out what's happening in Tampawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Online registration is now open for 12 Play Days that will be held in St. Petersburg and Tampa, with the first 25 kids registered for each event receiving a free tennis bag tag. The Play Days will feature prizes, music, games and more.

Events are open to all children (age divisions are limited at some events), with a $5 fee for USTA members and $10 for non-USTA members. More information can be found at the USTA Florida Region 3 Facebook site or at the event registration links below.

Find out what's happening in Tampawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hillsborough County events:

July 13 -- Sandra Freedman Tennis Complex, 8-under division only, 10 a.m.-noon

July 20 -- Hunter's Green Country Club, 8-18s age divisions, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

July 27 -- Tampa Tennis Club at HCC, 8-12s divisions only, 1-3 p.m.

Aug. 17 -- Sandra Freedman Tennis Complex, 8-under division only, 10 a.m.-noon

Pinellas County events:

June 28 -- East Lake Woodlands Country Club, 8-10s divisions only, 4-6 p.m.

June 29 -- New Port Richey Rec. Center, 8-10s divisions only, 9-11 a.m.

July 13 -- Treasure Bay Golf & Tennis, 8-10s divisions only, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

July 19 -- Countryside Country Club, 8-12s divisions only, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

July 27 -- Innisbrook, 8-14s divisions only, 9-11 a.m.

Aug. 3 -- New Port Richey Recreation Center, 12-18 divisions only, 9-11 a.m.

Aug. 3 -- St. Pete Beach-Lazarillo Park, 8-10s divisions only, 10 a.m.-noon

Aug. 24 -- Madeira Beach Recreation Center, 8-12s divisions only, 10 a.m.-noo

Registration is limited so register early at http://pspd2013.eventbrite.com.

USTA Play Days provide kids of all skill levels with the opportunity to experience tennis in a social and fun setting. The events are open to the public with an emphasis placed on family participation, effort and sportsmanship. Information will also be available on 10 and Under Tennis, Jr. Team Tennis leagues, other local play opportunities and special free USTA memberships for qualifying participants.

For kids age 10 and under the events will feature the USTA 10 and Under Tennis format, which allows smaller children to emulate adult play on smaller court sizes with racquet sizes that fit their hands, foam and low-compression balls, a simple scoring system, all adjusted to ease kids into the sport. Similar mini-tennis formats have long been popular in Europe, where current stars such as Roger Federer first learned the game with age-adjusted racquets, balls and court sizes. For more advanced players the event will feature full-court play.

About the USTA

Established in 1949, USTA Florida is a section of the United States Tennis Association.  It is a not-for-profit volunteer organization with more than 50,000 members, 1,000 organizational members and a $4 million budget. As the official governing body of tennis in Florida, USTA Florida operates from an executive office in Daytona Beach with 28 staff members and more than 600 volunteers throughout the state working toward promoting and developing tennis in Florida. To learn more about USTA Florida, visit www.ustaflorida.com.

 


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