Pumpkins, Spiders and Tennis—Oh My!

On a bright and beautiful Sunday, Oct. 14, the 21st Annual Blackwood Pumpkin Festival was held on side streets and in parking lots of downtown Blackwood in Gloucester Township. Since I work with Gloucester Township youth, I thought it appropriate to acquire a table there. Many thanks to Anne Marie Weaver,
associate producer of special projects for Mainstage Center for the Arts, for her hard work along with the many others (including the sponsors) who made this event possible. Gotta Play Tennis had a wonderful location between Chews Florist and the public library—just in front of a multitude of food vendors. Although it might seem odd to have been promoting tennis in the fall, I still find that the majority of parents are not aware that kids can learn this great lifetime sport all throughout the year from Gloucester Township Recreation and Gotta Play Tennis. Many families enter Gloucester Township Community park, where all my group tennis programs are held, and never get past the soccer fields. Therefore, they have never seen the four beautiful tennis courts, available for their enjoyment, deeper in the park.

As someone who has worked with youth spring, summer and fall for many years on the court, I am more excited than ever to bring an alternative to the saturated sports of soccer, football and others where kids can sometimes get lost in the shuffle of being on a team. Unfortunately, the feedback I receive from some parents is that over-coaching, personality conflicts or team politics can at times get in the way of the fun, challenge, and entertainment that youth sports should provide. Since tennis is more about one meeting, and then overcoming, both the physical and mental limitations of one's own athletic ability, there is none of the favoritism exhibited in other sports where perhaps only the most talented players get significant field time. All tennis players are treated equally, and there is no sitting on the sidelines. That includes the parents as well, since their involvement— actually being invited on the court—is an integral part of the program for fun and long-term interest.

Don't misunderstand me! I am all for kids having the chance to experience every different type of sports activity and then naturally navigate to the ones they enjoy the most. But what I do find frustrating are parents who won't consider trying tennis for their kids as a alternate simply because they may not have background in the sport. It is my challenge to help them understand that tennis is not only a world-class sport played all over the world, but, in addition, it is one of the best cross-training sports available to athletes of all disciplines. In addition, virtually every high school has both a girls' and boys' tennis team. At the Gotta Play Tennis table, parents were provided with a tentative spring schedule for 2013, information about holiday lesson gift certificates, private and family lessons, and a flier explaining the benefits of tennis to adults and kids of all ages. We were also giving out spider rings to the little ones simply because it is fun.

As you can see, getting the word out was my only mission at the festival although passers-by kept asking if I was selling the brightly-colored red, orange or green felt balls on display that are used for various levels and ages in my programs. Being a self-proclaimed tennis evangelist, spreading the word continues to be my passion as we soon will be coming to the conclusion of another very successful tennis year. If I did not see you at the festival, feel free to contact me by email or visit my website. Happy fall!

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