Welcoming to All

How do you collaborate as a group to captain and coordinate your team?

This is the fun part of being a team captain. I must be super organized and know our players’ availability and flexibility for team practices and matches, as well as their playing style, strengths, weaknesses, and preferred doubles partner. We practice Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at FDR Park in South Philadelphia – across from the Sports Complex, and have our matches on Saturdays. Some of our players contact each other outside of these hours if they want to hit more; some develop friendships off the courts.

To be a good captain, I need to manage our players and schedule well – it’s like being a project manager – manage people to achieve the same goal, which is to advance to Districts and have fun. There is a lot of planning, nuances, and behind the scene activities that our players never need to worry about – their job is to show up, bring their racquets, and play. Leave all the drama and headache to me.

What do you enjoy most about captaining a team? 

Definitely the team spirit and support. We have many tennis enthusiasts in Philadelphia, and I truly enjoy coordinating all the energy and like-minded players together, see them develop, and watch them become better players – and human beings off the courts. 

When we play host on our Saturday matches, I always try to be hospitable to the visiting team by giving them clear directions to our facility ahead of time, make my introduction with a warm welcome, show them the water fountain, bathroom, and court assignment. If rain is expected, I am usually up by 6 a.m. to monitor the forecast, coordinating possible delays - and yes, asking our players to assist in drying the courts.

Anything else you'd like to share?

Being a Team Captain for the Philly Phighters  the past 14 years has been a pleasure and honor. The loyalty from our players —to see them grow, develop and become good human beings has been truly rewarding. Some have finished college, gotten new jobs, gotten married, and had kids – growing the game to the next generation.