The United States Professional Tennis Association will host a free Tennis Across America clinic with the theme of Tennis — for the health of it! at Zina Garrison’s All Court Tennis Academy at MacGregor Park in Houston. The clinic, which is open to the public, will take place on Friday, May 9, from 4-7 p.m., and will officially kick off USPTA’s 19th annual Tennis Across America.
Those confirmed to attend include, Zina Garrison, U.S. Fed Cup captain, former WTA touring professional and president of the Zina Garrison All Court Tennis Academy, Tim Heckler, USPTA CEO, Jack Groppel, Ph.D., vice president of USPTA board of directors, and Adrian Hutber of the American College of Sports Medicine. The event will begin with a presentation that will include the USPTA Foundation making a donation to the Zina Garrison All Court Tennis Academy and an exciting announcement regarding the USPTA and ACSM as it relates to each association’s initiatives of Tennis — for the health of it! and Exercise is MedicineTM, respectively. The rest of the afternoon will be dedicated to a free tennis clinic for kids hosted by USPTA-certified tennis-teaching professionals. Kids participating in the clinic will receive T-shirts, snacks and gift bags.
Tennis Across America, which was established in 1990 by the USPTA, is the original, free grassroots lessons program. The goal of the program is to get people out on the court, playing tennis. The multicultural segment was added later with the goal of reaching various communities and potential players who have special needs and may not otherwise have the opportunity to play.
The Tennis Across America program consists of three major elements. First, free clinics are held at public and private facilities around the nation. Second, multicultural clinics introduce the sport to various groups and give everyone the opportunity to experience tennis. Third, follow-up programs are created to provide players with an opportunity to pursue their new enthusiasm for tennis.
Tennis — for the health of it! strives to make the general public aware of the tremendous health, fitness and psychological benefits of tennis and encourage people to get out and play the sport as a part of their regular fitness regimen. The USPTA also strives to encourage and enable kids across the nation and world to live a healthy lifestyle through the sport of tennis.
In addition, the USPTA and its members are the delivery force through which the public can receive these benefits through lessons and other tennis activities.
Founded in 1927, USPTA strives to raise the standards of the tennis profession while promoting greater awareness of the sport. USPTA offers more than 60 professional benefits to its 14,500 members worldwide, including certification and professional development. With more than 300 days of educational opportunities throughout the year, USPTA offers the most comprehensive continuing education program in the tennis industry. For more information, please call (800) 877-8248 or visit www.uspta.com.
