USTA Team Challenge and Team Tournaments are introducing children to tennis across the country with age-appropriate equipment and formats, and the USTA is compiling all information in a one-stop shop for tennis providers and parents at the new Team Challenge & Team Tournament Provider Central website.
Team Challenge — a low-pressure team environment that allows children to develop their skills through level-based play without an emphasis on instruction or results.
Team Tournament — an innovative way for children to gain match experience, develop their skills through level-based play, and demonstrate good sportsmanship.
“We have a lot of momentum with these new programs with 459 local providers hosting 1,599 pilot events for a total of 31,568 participants across the country the past 16 months,” says Matt Barnhart, USTA senior manager of team competition. “This is success without much digital, marketing, promotional, or resource support for your providers as we wanted to organically pilot these experiences. We have decided to collate all of this information into a ‘one-stop shop’ with a provider-focus to make it easier for potential providers.”
The programs and their supporting resources are designed to help providers deliver a fun introduction to the sport of tennis to youth, which can lead to a lifelong love of tennis from the very first play opportunity.
“I feel the Red Ball Team Challenges give the parents a better understanding of why the modified equipment works,” says Florida tennis provider Leigh Chak. “On top of everything else the kids have fun.”
For more info, or to host a Team Challenge or Team Tournament, go to www.usta.com/teamprograms.
