On September 20th, Memphis Tennis Association - in partnership with Shelby County Schools and Tennis Memphis - hosted a Red Ball Team Challenge for fifth graders at Hickory Ridge Elementary School in Memphis.  Over the past few weeks, students have been introduced to tennis in their PE programs by their PE teachers, Coach Pleasant and Coach Wimbley.

 

SCS Physical Education teachers from across the school district participate in on-court tennis workshops during their District Learning Days, led and hosted by USTA Tennessee and our Local Community Coordinator.  Throughout the academic year, Memphis Tennis Association provides loaner tennis equipment to schools for a two week curriculum, and thanks now to USTA's Net Generation, teachers are eligible to receive free permanent tennis equipment for their schools when they become Net Generation providers. 

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For added fun in learning, twenty-nine students became Superheroes during their introduction to beginner team play in the Red Ball Team Challenge!  Special thanks to USTA Southern for outfitting them with capes, masks, stickers and USTA back sacks. The on-court fun was led by Kent Smith, Director of Community Outreach for Tennis Memphis, our NJTL chapter.  In addition, Coach Smith and his team offer in-class instruction to assist the PE teachers during their tennis curriculum.  Students are also provided with information on play opportunities at their neighborhood tennis centers, including Play Days and Junior Development.

 

Our community is grateful for our partnership with the school districts and leaders who recognize that tennis gives kids a game that will help them build friendships, character and develop skills they can use for a lifetime.  Many thanks to SCS HPELW Instructional Advisors Kelley Greene and Dr. Cassandra Turner for their ongoing dedication and support to the tennis programs. Hickory Ridge Elementary was one of four Mid-South schools named one of the healthiest schools in the nation in 2018 by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Congratulations to Principal Gordon and Assistant Principal Curry for their school's recent award!

 

Click here to find a Team Challenge in an area near you!