CrossCourt Fall 2012
missourivalley.usta.com
Kids + Tennis + Clubs FUN! ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: 978% 1MWWSYVM :EPPI] 7YQQIV MR 4LSXSW 32 '3968 ;-8, +IVM 7XIGOIP 8,) 7)6:) %PI\E 8MIJIP
PUT MORE PLAY
IN YOUR DAY THERE IS AN EVENT HAPPENING NEAR YOU!
September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month and tennis is the perfect sport to get your kids active. Attend a USTA Free Tennis Play Day in celebration of Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play. The USTA is hosting Free Tennis Play Days across the country from September 1 through October 6.
For more information visit
Nickelodeon, Worldwide Day of Play, and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.
© 2012 USTA. All rights reserved.
CrossCourt
FALL 2012
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SUMMER PHOTOS
Check out photos from events, tournaments and community outreach in the USTA Missouri Valley this summer.
The USTA Missouri Valley publishes CrossCourt quarterly, focusing specifically on the members and events in the section. All material copyright USTA Missouri Valley, unless otherwise noted.
Your feedback is welcome.
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KIDS’ TENNIS CLUBS
TA Miss M issour ourii Val V al USTA Missouri Valley 6400 West 95th Street Suite 102 Overland Park,, Kansas 66212
A look at this new opportunity to get kids active and involved in the game of tennis.
ouriv ou rivall alley ey ust usta a missourivalley.usta.com crosscourt@movalley.usta.com
THE SERVE
Alexa Tiefel, a member of KCUT-1 Jr. Team Tennis squad, helped her team advance to the National Jr. Team Tennis Championships in October.
913) 91 3) 322 4800 48 00 (913) 322-4800 (888)368-8612 Toll Free
3) 322 4801 48 01 F (913) 322-4801 Fax
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twitter.com/USTAMoValley youtube.com/user/mvusta facebook.com/USTAMoValley Scott Hanover President Mary Buschmann Executive Director
ON COURT WITH
Geri Steckel has been a League Captain in St. Louis, Missouri, for the past 16 years. She shares some of her experiences with CrossCourt.
Manon Eilts Marketing Communications Director Emily Steinwart Public Relations and Graphic Design Coordinator Eli Gieryna Digital Media Coordinator
NET NOTES
Get the latest news from all around the USTA Missouri Valley.
9-10
For questions about your USTA membership, please contact USTA Member Services at 1-800-990-USTA, or visit the Membership Center at www.usta.com/membership. If you would like additional copies for your facility, please contact CrossCourt at the address above.
FALL 2012 MISSOURIVALLEY.USTA.COM 2
ALL Stars Day
.YRI (IW 1SMRIW -%
USTA Missouri Valley
SUMMER IN PHOTOS
US Open National Playoffs
.YRI 4VEMVMI :MPPEKI /7
Pro Circuit Returns to Joplin
.YP] .STPMR 13
July K
World TeamTennis Kansas City Explorers July 20, 2012 Kansas City, MO
Sweet 16 Championship
June 19-25, 2012 Kansas City, MO
Photos from events, tournaments and community outreach within the USTA Missouri Valley this summer. To view more photos, visit our website at missourivalley.usta.com and click on Photo Galleries or view the digital issue of CrossCourt.
Jr. Team Tennis Section Championship
30- August 1, 2012 Kansas City, MO
Husband and Wife National Hard Court Championship
July 6-8, 2012 Kansas City, MO
tennis:
NOt just a summer sport
by Christie Holland
For the last 27 years, the USTA has worked hard to introduce students to tennis at an early age. USTA School Tennis was created to give students the opportunity to be exposed to tennis and become life-long players. Since then, USTA School Tennis has spawned multiple programs that target students at different ages. Its newest program, Kids’ Tennis Clubs, has become increasingly popular in the past year. Kids’ Tennis Clubs are an opportunity for students to play tennis in a supervised environment, whether in an afterschool program or a summer program. One of the major advantages of Kids’ Tennis Clubs is its versatility. “The goal of the Kids’ Tennis Clubs is to get them to play,” said Sue Riemann, Community Program Director for USTA School Tennis. “This doesn’t mean they have to play standard tennis games or even play on a tennis court.” Tennis courts aren’t needed, since games can be played anywhere such as blacktops, gym floors, multi-purpose rooms or even on school fields. There are a variety of games kids can play with a ball and racquet that kids are already familiar with. The USTA has adapted other sports and games to help teach tennis basics like hand-eye coordination and footwork. “There are an unlimited number of games kids can play with a ball and racquet,” said Riemann. “Games like tennis bowling, tennis four square, inchworm rally and tennis obstacle course are some of the introductory activities kids can play. More skilled players can play champ of the court, wall challenge and tag team singles.” In addition, instructors do not need any tennis experience to be able to host Kids’ Tennis Clubs. The activities in the program were designed so that the games could be self-sustaining. While an adult should be around to make sure things run smoothly, their participation in the games is not needed. 5 MISSOURIVALLEY.USTA.COM FALL 2012
One of the reasons instructors do not need a lot of tennis experience is because the USTA provides various tools for organizers to use. Schools that are registered USTA organizations and who have teachers and afterschool program directors who have attended a USTA workshop receive a free USTA Curriculum Kit. This kit includes lesson plans, a guide book, a CD and DVD to help instruction. The USTA offers free School Tennis Workshops for P.E. teachers and extracurricular tennis providers. The USTA has also teamed up with Skillastics®, Inc. to develop Tennis Skillastics®, a program that resembles a board game and comes with a variety of activities that follow the USTA Curriculum Kit. USTA members receive a 15 percent discount on Tennis Skillastics® at www. skillastics.com. Marco Pedroza is the director of Dawes Middle School’s after-school program in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he is in charge of 15-30 students every day. Pedroza has hosted a Kids’ Tennis Club for the past year. “The kids love it,” said Pedroza. “For them, it’s really about being with their friends.” Pedroza has seen the benefits of a Kids’ Tennis Club, especially the improvement in his students’ footwork, but there have been other benefits too. “I’ve definitely seen an increased awareness of tennis,” said Pedroza. “Kids bring their own racquets and try to get their friends to play with them.”
One of the reasons Kids’ Tennis Clubs, like Pedroza’s, have been so successful, is because the USTA is encouraging kids to use appropriately sized equipment. New equipment was designed with the 10 and Under Tennis program to make it easier for kids to successfully play tennis. The sizes of racquets, tennis balls and even the courts have changed to better suit kids’ abilities. When kids are more confident about their playing ability, they are more likely to continue playing the sport. “The kids really enjoy it,” said Pedroza. “We’ll continue it as long as the program is available.” All schools are eligible to host a Kids’ Tennis Club. Organizers can register their programs online with the USTA at http://ct2.usta.com/schools. With registration, organizers will receive a playbook containing ideas for games, equipment needed, tips for running the club and more.
For more infor mation on K ids’ Tennis Clubs visit w w w.ust a.com/schools or cont ac t Sue R iemann at r iemann@movalley.usta.com.
TOP REASONS TO OFFER A NO-CUT TENNIS PROGRAM from USTA.com • It's the right thing to do ̶ every child should have the opportunity to engage in healthy, lifelong activities in a safe and supportive environment with their peers. • A no-cut policy sends the message that developing kids, even the less talented and late bloomers, is important to the coach and school. • Participating on a team helps create well-rounded student athletes, develops leadership and teaches responsibility, discipline, teamwork and cooperation ̶ skills every student should be entitled to develop. • One week of tryouts is not enough for a coach to know who the best players will be in four years. Coaches are often pleasantly surprised by the contributions made by individuals considered to have less potential. • Children who are cut from sport programs are almost always the least skilled or those who have discipline problems. It is precisely these youngsters who are in need of an opportunity to grow through sport. Frank L. Smoll and Ronald E. Smith, Sports and Your Child, second edition; Warde Publishers, Inc. FALL 2012 MISSOURIVALLEY.USTA.COM 6 2005
FREE* 1-YEAR USTA 10 AND UNDER JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP** Interested in USTA Junior Tournaments or Jr. Team Tennis? FOR A LIMITED-TIME, get a FREE* 1-Year 10 and Under Junior Membership! Plus...
‡ (OLJLELOLW\ IRU 867$ -XQLRU 7RXUQDPHQWV ‡ &KDQFH WR SOD\ LQ 867$ -U 7HDP 7HQQLV ‡ Bounce, a quarterly newsletter for 10 and Under
If you’ve never been a member before, then here is your opportunity to get in the game!
JOIN NOW, GET YOUR FIRST YEAR FREE!* Visit www.tryusta.com/ juniorfree and enter source code: 10UJRFREE Or call 1-800-990-8782 and mention source code: 10UJRFREE
e thSERVE
with
By Marshall Miller
Alexa
Tiefel
How and when did you start playing tennis? I first picked up a racquet when I was four and started playing competitively in tournaments when I was eight. My dad was the one who got me started; he played some tennis in college and I guess I got it from him. What's the best part about playing tennis? Personally, I love to compete, so that really motivates me. It's also great because you can learn so many life lessons- like never giving up and always going 100 percent. When did you know that tennis is what you wanted to play competitively? Going to national tournaments really inspired me. Seeing some of the best girls in the nation made me want to work so hard to reach that level. Why do you play JTT? I love playing with the other players in the KCUT program and it's just a fun and different way to get better at something I love. What sort of prematch routines do you do? Before every match, I’ll just visualize the match and go over my gameplan to get my focus at the right level. I’ll also talk with my coach and we’ll go over what we did in our last lessons and talk about how that would translate into the match. How do you react after matches? It’s all about evaluation. Mistakes are easier to remember so I will go back with my coach, talk about what I could’ve done better, and try and correct it for my next match. Future goals? I want to win the Missouri Valley Sweet 16 tournament and I would really love the chance to play college tennis. Favorite thing to do, such as other sports? I’m really devoted to tennis, but when I’m not playing I love to hang out with friends and talk about drama that’s going on. Favorite player on tour? [Roger] Federer for sure because I really admire his attitude.
Offer Expires: December 31, 2012
No purchase necessary. Offer open only to U.S. residents and applies only to new 10 and Under 1-Year-Junior Membership (regular price: $20). Individual must be aged 10 or under at time of HQUROOPHQW WR TXDOLI\ 2WKHU TXDOL¿FDWLRQV DSSO\ )HHV PD\ DSSO\ for tournament and League participation. Terms of membership DQG EHQH¿WV VXEMHFW WR FKDQJH LQ WKH 867$œV VROH GLVFUHWLRQ 867$ Membership is not transferable. Offer expires 11:59 p.m. ET on 9LVLW ZZZ WU\XVWD FRP MXQLRUIUHH RU FDOO for complete terms and conditions and enrollment instructions. Individuals (and their parent(s)/legal guardian(s)) must agree to adhere to the Constitution, Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of WKH 867$ DYDLODEOH RQ ZZZ XVWD FRP ‹ 8QLWHG 6WDWHV 7HQQLV $VVRFLDWLRQ ,QFRUSRUDWHG $OO ULJKWV reserved.
Alexa Tiefel, 14, is a member of KCUT-1 Jr. Team Tennis squad in the Heart of America district. Tiefel’s team advanced to the National Jr. Team Tennis Championships in October.
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[Q+A] ON COURT WITH...
GERI
STECKEL By Christie Holland
Geri Steckel was recognized as the July USTA Missouri Valley League Captain of the Month.
Q: How did you first get involved with tennis? A: I played with some of my neighbors when my daughter was younger, but I took a long break while my daughter grew up. Once my daughter was in high school, I saw an ad in a local paper for lessons offered at a local high school that were being taught by a USTA player. Then I played six days a week because I was trying to make up for all the lost time! Now I’ve played for a total of 22 years, I’ve been on a League for 20 years, and I’ve been a League Captain for 16 years. Q: How did you get involved in USTA League Tennis? A: The instructor who gave me lessons at the local high school was a USTA player and a verifier. After my second or third year taking lessons, he suggested that I become verified to find out what level I should play so I could play League tennis. Once I was verified I joined a local team. Q: How did you become a League Captain? A: Once I joined a team, I was disappointed when the other members on the team told me and a few others that we should have our own practices. Joining a League team is about community and it didn’t make sense for all of us to not play together. By that point, it was too late in the season to join a different team, so I waited until the next year before I joined one. I played with that team for a year before it fell apart. We ended up combining with another team and I volunteered to be captain. I knew I was very organized and I decided that I could do it. Since then, I’ve been a captain for 16 years and I’ve captained all kinds of teams: seniors, mixed and super seniors. Q: What is your fondest memory from being captain? A: My fondest memory was when I recruited a couple of people who were on other teams during the regular season and I put together a senior team for all of us during the summer. They told me they almost didn’t continue playing because of pettiness and internal conflicts on their previous teams. When they played with my team, they said it was the most fun experience they’ve ever had. That made me feel good and it was really important to me. The whole social aspect is what makes it so much fun. Q: What qualities make a good captain? A: I’ve always tried to make sure that I put the best possible teams together. They need to work well together but still have a good time. To do that you need to be organized, fair and positive. At the end of the day, I want all of my players to have a good time. I try to make sure they mesh well together and we all go out together after every match almost every single year. Q: What are the challenges of being a captain? A: Probably the hardest part is trying to figure out the line up and where the best place for everyone to be: Who should play with whom and where so that they still have a really good chance at winning but still have a good time. Finding partners when it’s a new team and you don’t know them is also challenging but I haven’t had very many people who haven’t fit right in. Other players have helped recruit more players so it’s easy for them to have a good time when they already know people. Q: How long do you plan on remaining captain of your team? A: We’ll see. I’d like to continue to do it. I had two knee surgeries two years in a row and a bruised ACL last year so I couldn’t play, but I still captained because I loved the social aspect of it. I gave up an adult team about three years ago and I haven’t captained an adult team since then. I’ve had mostly senior and super senior teams though I once captained a 4.0 team and an accommodation team as favors. I’m hoping to keep playing and captaining for a few more years. I’m still for sure doing 55 and older and there’s a few people trying to talk me into doing 40 and older. I wish other people would captain too because it’s not that hard. I think if someone would want to captain every once in awhile, they would get a lot out of it. Q: What is your favorite part about being a League Captain? A: I think tennis is better than any other social activity that you can do. The whole social aspect of tennis is excellent. When I bruised my ACL last year and I couldn’t play, I missed the social part more than anything. That’s why I continued to captain. I’ve made more friends in tennis than in anything else. I feel so blessed because of all the friends I’ve met and made in tennis. I wish everyone was involved in it!
Any USTA member over the age of 18 is eligible to join a League team and any League player can become a Captain. If you're interested in joining a League or becoming a League Captain, visit our website at tennislink.usta.com/Leagues. FALL 2012 MISSOURIVALLEY.USTA.COM 8
Net Notes News from around the USTA Missouri Valley Wichita Teen Wins Arthur Ashe Essay Contest The USTA announced the 14 winners of the 14th annual NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest. The recipients, ages 18 years old and younger, were selected from 1,810 submissions. Each winner will receive a New York City travel package from August 24-26. Azani Fitten, of Wichita, Kansas, was chosen as the winner of the girls' 15-16 year-old division. Fitten wrote about Ashe's legacy and how he would be proud of the achievements of African-Americans today. To enter the contest, children were asked to write an essay of 350 words or less, or create an art piece, responding to a specific question around Arthur Ashe and his great accomplishments. This year’s question – "If Arthur Ashe were alive today, what do you think would give him hope?" A USTA sub-committee selected the winning essays from over 1,100 submitted based on their knowledge of Arthur Ashe, message clarity, and writing style.
SmashZone to Make September Stop in St. Louis The USTA Missouri and St. Louis District Tennis Association are pleased to announce that SmashZone, the US Open's premiere fan experience, is making a stop in St. Louis. The Girl Scouts are celebrating their 100-year anniversary, a milestone of discovery, friendship and leadership with two extraordinary events. The BIG Day – Believe in Girls – will be held Saturday, September 22 at Soldier’s Memorial Park in St. Louis. One of the most exciting attractions will be the USTA Smash Zone! SmashZone Mobile Tour, the premiere fan interactive attraction introduces children to tennis in a fun and interactive way. The St. Louis District Tennis Association is searching for volunteers who are 18 and over to assist with the SmashZone experience at this event. We are in need of 5-7 volunteers for each of the shifts. Your duties will consist of providing basic on-court instruction and interacting with the participants. This free event will be the biggest event in St. Louis this fall and everyone in the community is invited. The day kicks off with a parade including floats, marching bands and giant balloons. Over 1,000 girls will participate in a flash mob dance and then head to the FamFest where over 100 exhibitors will provide fun activities for girls and boys, parents, friends and neighbors. Later in the day the festival will showcase tween stars in concert including Allstar Weekend, Ryan Beatty who is considered the next Justin Bieber and a mystery singer who captured hearts during her performance on the X Factor. To volunteer on court or in the USTA information tent, contact Mary Vassar at director@sldta.com or (314) 432-3990.
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Net Notes News from around the USTA Missouri Valley Nick Taylor Prepares to Defend Paralympics Gold Not satisfied with two Paralympic gold medals, Wichita’s Nick Taylor will seek a three-peat in quad doubles at the 2012 London Games. The quad team, led by two-time doubles gold medalists David Wagner (San Diego, Calif.), and Taylor (Wichita, Kan.), will also include first-time Paralympian Bryan Barten (Tucson, Ariz.). Wagner, who is currently world No.1 in both singles and doubles, will be competing for his first gold medal in men’s quad singles at the Paralympics. Wagner and Taylor won consecutive gold medals in doubles at the 2008 Games in Beijing, China and 2004 Games in Athens, Greece. The U.S. will be one of 30 countries represented by the 112 wheelchair tennis competitors from around the world, vying for gold in the men’s, women’s and quad events. The competition will take place at Eton Manor, a newly-built 10,500 seat venue built specifically for wheelchair tennis located in London’s Olympic Park. "The USTA is the national governing body for Paralympic Tennis and is proud of the wheelchair tennis athletes who will represent the United States at this year’s Paralympic Games," said Jon Vegosen, USTA Chairman of the Board and President. "Their ability to train their minds and bodies in order to earn the title ‘Paralympian’ is illustrative of their commitment and dedication to the sport of tennis. Watching them compete will be an honor." This year’s Paralympic Games marks the sixth time wheelchair tennis will be part of the competition, and the third time the quad division will be included.
Save the Date: Annual Conferencee November 30 - December 2, 2012 Mark your calendars! The 2012 USTA Missouri Valley Annual Conference is set for November 30 through December 2 at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Overland Park, Kansas. The weekend will feature speakers, meetings and trainings as we join to continue the growth of tennis into 2013. Saturday, December 1, will also feature the annual Hall of Fame and Awards luncheon, where we honor some of our biggest contributors to the game of tennis in our section. Stay tuned for more details! HAVE NEWS? If you have a news items that may be worthy of inclusion in Net Notes , e-mail crosscourt@movalley.usta.com or mail us at CrossCourt, 6400 West 95th Street - Suite 102, Overland Park, Kansas 66212.
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6400 West 95th Street | Suite 102 Overland Park, Kansas 66212 missourivalley.usta.com Keep your USTA membership information current to get the latest news and special member benefits by going to usta.com/membership and updating your profile today!
Fall Calendar of Events Event
Date
Location
BG12-18 September Futures
September 7-9
Tulsa, Oklahoma
USTA MV Adult/Senior Super Doubles I League Section Championship
September 13-16
Omaha, Nebraska
USTA MV Adult/Senior Super Doubles II League Section Championship
September 27-30
Springfield, Missouri
BG12-18 September Futures
September 28-30
Wichita, Kansas
Tennis on Campus Fall Invitational
September 29-30
Kansas City, Missouri
US Open USTA Wheelchair Championships
October 2-7
St. Louis, Missouri
BG12-18 Indoor October Futures
October 19-21
Various Sites
BG12-18 November Supers
November 2-4
Various Sites
BG12-18 Sweet 16, Segment II
November 16-18
Various Sites
USTA League Coordinator’s Training
November 30
Overland Park, Kansas
USTA High Performance Coaches’ Workshop
November 30
Overland Park, Kansas
USTA Missouri Valley Annual Meeting
November 30 - December 2
Overland Park, Kansas
BG 12-18 Indoor December Futures
December 7-9
Various Sites
Go to missourivalley.usta.com to find the latest events in your area!
SUMMER IN PHOTOS
World TeamTennis Kansas City Explorers
ALL Stars Day
USTA Missouri Valley
Jr. Team T Tennis Section Championship
Sw
Husband and Wife “Professional Tennis is Championship Back in Joplin”
eet
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Jim Thorpe Games
Pro Circuit Godfrey, Illinois
US Open National Playoffs
Des Moines, Iowa
League Section Championships August 9-12 and August 23-26
Oklahoma City
This event was funded in part by the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Commission.