Kicking a Ball Is One Option for Summer Fun, but Why Not Try Tennis?

Soccer is a fun sport. It must be since kids and their parents flock to try-outs, soccer camps, games, and even participate in travel teams all throughout the year. I'm all for activities or sports that involve both adults and their kids. But there is a benefit to diversity of sport. While kids profit immensely from sportsmanship and team effort on the soccer field, maybe it's time to let them try something this summer that requires more direct engagement and continual action as a player. Welcome Tennis camps!

The Highland Youth Soccer Club held its fall registration and fundraising event this past Friday evening, June 8, at Gloucester Township Community Park. Even better, they provided an evening of entertainment with a movie for parents and kids to enjoy in an open-air theater using an inflatable screen. Adding to the event, they allowed local businesses to display their wares and services to the community for a small donation. For me, as a Gloucester Township tennis instructor, it was a great chance to share information to parents not aware that tennis was available for kids, 10 and under, in the very park in which they play their soccer games. Many did not even know that Gloucester Township Community Park has four beautiful tennis courts for their use.

I had the privilege to speak to several soccer parents who enjoy their kids' participation in that sport but thought another activity might provide some variety and cross-training this summer. It just so happens that soccer players tend to make pretty good tennis players since soccer, like tennis, requires lots of footwork.

So I was more than happy to share some of the benefits that the QuickStart format of tennis—provided through the Gloucester Township Recreation Center and Gotta Play Tennis—can give both children and adults:

• Low barrier to entry since tennis courts are free
• No purchasing of equipment required (for lesson programs)
• Low-cost group lessons programs available in GlouTwp Community Park
• Parents get to be directly involved with their kids in activities on the court
• Fun, skill-building and health benefits in a Lifetime Sport

As if these we not good enough reasons, here are few more things to consider:

• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that kids get three basic types of activities in order to maintain good health. These are: Aerobic Activity, Muscle Strengthening, and Bone Strengthening. What sport provides all of these very activities? You guessed it. TENNIS. Read "34 Reasons to Play Tennis" by Dr. Jack Gropell, Ph.D., USPTA Master Professional

What about adults?

• People who participate in tennis three hours per week at a moderately vigorous intensity cut in half their risk of death from any cause (according to the late Dr. Ralph Paffenbarger, who was an internationally recognized exercise authority and studied more than 10,000 people for 20 years).

Hopefully my efforts to reveal the benefits of tennis will give Gloucester Twp. residents one more activity to consider for themselves and their kids this summer. No, adults are not left out. We have Summer Camp Tennis for Grown-ups in June. Registration for all evening camps and Saturday sessions are held at the Gloucester Township Recreation Center.

Ron Miller is a PTR certified tennis instructor who teaches group and private lessons for kids and adults through Gloucester Twp. Recreation in the SJ area. His website and podcast provide free instructional content for beginners to advanced players.

Download the movie