Parents Can Join Kids Getting Into Tennis with New Red Ball Team Challenges

Tennis has never been easier to start, or to find a team, between Net Generation and new Red Ball Team Challenges for beginners age 5-12.

A Red Ball Team Challenge is an introduction to competition for players using the larger, lower-bouncing red ball. Kids play on teams, while parents receive support information with an emphasis on player character development.

Parents are encouraged to sign up as on court helpers, and events generally run around 1-1/2 hours. Red ball play is on smaller 36-foot courts with right-sized kids equipment, and is a great way for young players to hone their skills. Red Ball Team Challenges offer a low level of competitive play in a single event that highlights teamwork in a fun, social environment. Players are provided with racquets and balls, and matched with others of like ability on teams. USTA membership is not required.

Intermediate and advanced players can advance to orange ball on 60-foot courts, and green ball on full-size 78-foot courts before eventually moving on to adult yellow balls. For more information on the USTA Florida Youth Progression Pathway go to www.ustaflorida.com/youthtennis/10-and-under-play.

All youth programs are housed under Net Generation, which creates a positive and welcoming environment for all youth players. By focusing on play and character building, kids are empowered to grow and develop at their own pace without a hard emphasis on instruction or results.

Current Red Ball Team Challenges, and orange- and green-ball programs in Florida (number of providers in parenthesis):

Boca Raton (2) — Red (May 30, July 13, 15), Orange (May 30, July 13, 15), Green (May 30, July 13, 15, 27)
Cocoa Beach — See www.NetGeneration.com for upcoming programs
Daytona Beach — See www.NetGeneration.com for upcoming programs
Islamorada — See www.NetGeneration.com for upcoming programs
Jacksonville (5) — Red (June 27, Oct. 27), Orange (June 6), Green (June 6)
Gainesville (2) — Red (June 16, July 14)
Key West — Red (June 9), Orange (June 9, 23, July 14), Green (June 9, 23, July 14)
Miami (7) — Red (June 2, 9, 23, 30, July 14), Orange (May 26, June 9, 23, 30, July 14), Green (May 26, June 9, 23, 30, July 14)
Niceville — Red (June 10, July 22, Sept. 29, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, Dec. 9)
Orange Park — See www.NetGeneration.com for upcoming programs
Orlando (2) — Red (June 15, Oct. 7), Orange (Oct. 7), Green (Oct. 7)
Ormond Beach (2) — See www.NetGeneration.com for upcoming programs
Palm Beach Gardens — Red (July 28), Orange (July 28), Green (July 28)
Palm Coast (3) — Orange (July 11), Green (July 18)
Pensacola (2) — Red (may 26, June 16, July 28)
Ponte Vedra Beach — See www.NetGeneration.com for upcoming programs
St. Johns — Red (May 23), Orange (May 25, Sept. 14), Green (May 25, Sept. 14)
Tallahassee (2) — See www.NetGeneration.com for upcoming programs
Weston — See www.NetGeneration.com for upcoming programs

To register for events, search by city or for specific programs go to https://netgeneration.usta.com/us-en/search.html.

If you are a tennis provider and would like information on hosting a Red Ball Team Challenge go to https://form.jotform.com/80863966996178.