By Peter Francesconi, Tennis Industry Association
Tennis providers can hook into a free national promotion for the month of May that aims to get more people on the courts. Tennis industry partners are working together to promote May as “Play Tennis Month” to help showcase the sport of tennis and its health benefits.
Thousands of tennis programs and events will be held around the country, with a goal of helping to get people moving and playing tennis.
At least 1,500 tennis facilities around the U.S. are expected to participate in Play Tennis Month. The goal for the entire month of May is for Americans to burn a combined 10 million calories on the court in Play Tennis Month activities. Play Tennis Month also helps to support PHIT America.
To support Play Tennis Month, tennis providers can register their facility or courts as a participating site so consumers can find nearby locations and programs. To register a location and programs for free, go to RallyTheIndustry.org. The site also has suggested program formats that emphasize fitness and how fun and social tennis is, but tennis providers can offer any programs they’d like as part of Play Tennis Month.
Among suggested formats are Cardio Tennis sessions, Try Tennis Free, PlayTennisFast programming, and POP Tennis on 60-foot courts.
The lead-up to Play Tennis Month will include a large Cardio Tennis session in late April at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla., where the goal is for participants to burn a combined 1 million calories. In addition, May 5 will be National Cardio Tennis Day, with participating facilities offering Cardio Tennis challenges, sessions and programming.
Play Tennis Month provider webinars are scheduled for March 21 and April 24 and will update providers on formats, programming, promotions, follow-up and more.
Play Tennis Month events will include fundraisers to benefit PHIT America GO! Grants, which provide funds for physical education in schools, including supporting equipment and curriculum for the new Net Generation youth tennis initiative.
For more information on Play Tennis Month and to register visit www.RallyTheIndustry.org.
