USTA Schools Tennis
Purpose:
More Than Just a Game - Enrich the lives of your students through tennis. Tennis is the ideal sport to help achieve the health and wellness goals of schools. The USTA is the ideal partner to help you bring it to your students. As the national governing body for tennis, the USTA is committed to producing relevant, up-to-date materials for physical education teachers, extracurricular staff and after school providers.
School Tennis Resources:
There are multiple resources available to PE teachers and after-school care providers that are interested in offering tennis to their students. These include:
• Curriculum Kit- The USTA has developed a cutting edge in-school curriculum, the Physical Educators Guide for Teaching Tennis in Schools and teacher training program to help educators feel more comfortable offering tennis in school settings. The newest tennis curriculum has eight easy-to-follow lesson plans created for teachers, by teachers that can be used in any school environment. Written in conjunction with renowned physical education expert, Dr. Robert Pangrazi, the lessons are:
- Based on NASPE standards.
- Designed to fit unique time and scheduling needs.
- Flexible enough to accommodate small and large groups.
- Fun and challenging for all kids and adaptable for students with special needs.
- Targeted towards grades 3-6 and can be adapted to higher and lower grade levels.
- Able to be taught on any flat surface - No courts required!
Click here for a sample lesson from the eight provided in the Tennis Pocket Guide, Curriculum supplement.
• Teacher In-Service Workshops - These workshops complement a teacher’s large group management skills and demonstrate how to quickly transform a school gym or playground into a dynamic tennis-playing environment and allow students to experience instant success in a fun and safe manner. There is no cost to the school district to host a PE teacher in-service but a few minimal requirements must be met prior to scheduling. In-Services are scheduled in Hawaii via the School District RT and USTA Hawaii.
• Equipment Support - Equipment discounts are available to qualifying schools that are linked with an after school tennis program (aka Plus One). Modified tennis equipment including aged appropriate tennis racquets, easy-to-rally transition tennis balls and portable tennis nets make the game fun and engaging from the moment a child first picks up a racquet.
• Staff Support - Statewide support to assist you with the tennis and training resources you need to adopt tennis as part of your physical education curriculum.
How To Access These Tennis Resources (Pre-Requisites):
In order to receive access to schools tennis resources, there are a few requirements that must be met. These include:
• USTA School Membership: Each school must be an active USTA school member. This is a $35 per school annual fee, multiple year memberships now available. A school can register by visiting the USTA membership website or calling toll free 1-800-990-8782 to a membership agent.
• Teacher Training: At least one teacher from each participating school must receive USTA sponsored training within a 24-month period. This can be in the form of a USTA school in-service or recreational coach workshop.
• Plus One Program: Extracurricular school tennis programs can include: organized play before school, at recess, during lunch time, or after school, as well as student tennis clubs, intramurals and interscholastic no-cut team play. (Schools that offer tennis in physical education and as an extracurricular activity for an additional minimum of 6 contact periods will be eligible for substantial equipment discounts.)
No-Cut Coaches Recognition and Resource Program:
For more information on this program and how to register on the newly enhanced, interactive website visit: www.usta.com/nocut
Other School Tennis Resources:
The USTA is continuing to create resources and tools designed to make starting an after school tennis program easy and enjoyable for organizers. Check back for additional materials as they are developed.
Suggested formats and best practices that have been used in successful programs include:
Top Reasons for Providing School Tennis Programs:
"Playing tennis is an excellent way to engage kids in regular physical activity to help them live longer, healthier lives." - American Heart Association
Every child should have the opportunity to engage in healthy, lifelong activities in a safe and supportive environment with their peers.
Over 20% of children ages 6-18 are overweight, and that number has increased 200% over the past 3 decades. A recent study by the National Association for Sports & Physical Education showed that physically fit children performed better academically. Tennis is one of the few sports that can be played for a lifetime and uniquely benefits children like no other sport. Through tennis kids gain both physical and psychological benefits.
Tennis players score higher in vigor, optimism, and self-esteem, and lower in depression, anger, confusion, anxiety, and tension than other athletes and non-athletes. (Dr. Joan Finn and colleagues at Southern Connecticut University)
Tennis outperforms golf, running, weight-lifting, and many other sports in developing positive personality characteristics like sociability, mental focus, competitiveness, adventurousness, spontaneity, creativity, and assertiveness. (Dr. Jim Galvin, author of The Exercise Habit)
The average person burns more calories playing tennis than doing low impact aerobics, weightlifting, riding a stationary bike, hiking, walking a golf course, or playing softball, baseball, or volleyball. (www.nutristrategy.com)
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| School Tennis at Ahuimanu Elementary |