Tennis anyone?
With the weather finally taking a turn for the better, people all over Moncton are digging out their raquets and heading to the courts
Moncton tennis is ready to kick off it's summer season and it is shaping up to be one of the biggest the region has ever seen. The Moncton Tennis Association will be focusing on continuing to build from the ground up, spending a great deal of time and effort on youth programs.
"In our community and right across Canada, we're seeing a great deal of growth in youth tennis," says John Pearson, member of Programs for the Mayors Working Committee. "The growth is highest in players 10 and under, but we are seeing more and more young people try tennis."
With Mother Nature cooperating, the outdoor season will soon be in full gear and there are several programs soon starting for local youth.
"We're going into the local schools with a program called Building Tennis Communities," says John. "We're going to reach over 2000 young people through the schools. We also have an initiative to go to local playgrounds and offer children in different places a chance to try the game.
"We have portable nets as well as racquets, balls and the instructors. It's really designed to take tennis outside of the 'club' and have it more accessible. Tennis is a game that anybody and everybody can play."
Other programs that will be offered include the Tennis Associations participation in Camp Centennial at Centennial Park in July, a youth development program and a bilingual program designed to encouraged young teen girls to increase their level of physical fitness called "Go Girls/Allez Les Filles".
"There is even a program called Tennis for Tykes which involves a great deal of parent-child interaction," explains John. "We have two courts that are designed specifically for young players that are half size. It can really give young children a good start."
For older players, there is even a seniors program which the Moncton Tennis Association is offering in partnership with the YMCA. The cardio-tennis program started last year and is also sponsored by Tennis Canada. The program begins indoors at the YMCA before moving outside as the season warms.
The highlight of the summer for the local tennis scene will be the inaugural Moncton's Men Challenger which will take place from July 12-20. The tournament is sanctioned by both the ATP tour and Tennis Canada. Professional players from all over the world will participate in the tournament, which is one of several Challenger tournaments that take places throughout Canada.
"This tournament will provide great exposure for local tennis," says John. "We're very fortunate to have a dedicated group of volunteers to help pull this tournament off smoothly. There will be a pre-qualifier as well which has one spot guaranteed for a player from the Maritimes. This tournament is a terrific opportunity for local fans and players alike."
With so many programs and tournaments running throughout the summer, it's a prime opportunity to help the sport continue to grow.
"Our association is non-profit, everything we get goes back into the programs we offer to the community," says John. " When we go anywhere in the community and area, we do it to see the sport grow, not just in Moncton, but everywhere.
For more information on any of the upcoming events or programs, please call 853-7763 or visit www.tennismoncton.ca.
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