USTA Missouri Valley reaches new audience through homeschool tennis

The other side featured a makeshift net comprised of two chairs and tape as well as targets for players to take aim at. Parents and some of the other vendors on-site were up for the challenge, too, and several kids returned to the booth to get in a few more swings. Hall and Heim incorporated progression-based play that included self-rallies, partner rallying and some fun challenges with dice rolls and other tools.

“Not all of them are, but there are a majority of homeschool families that are large, so you have built-in best friends and built-in people to play with,” Hall said. “Rethinking the traditional aspect of tennis—keeping score and playing points out—and instead saying, ‘Hey, I can actually do this activity or these couple of progressive challenges in my own driveway.’

“That’s going to build different skillsets like sending and receiving, tracking, teamwork, your ABCs with ability, balance and coordination. You can do that in your own space, whether it’s a local park close by, in your driveway or on a blacktop surface.”

Connecting with Families

Hall said the Homeschool Iowa Conference was a great avenue to engage with homeschool families, better understand their desires and direct them to some next steps. Hall noted the USTA has excellent tennis-at-home resources, including this YouTube video series. USTA Missouri Valley also has a dedicated homeschool tennis page with helpful links and a roadmap to getting started.

“We’re still learning because it’s such a new area that we’re diving into,” Hall said. “But we can learn a lot listening and chatting with vendors and those engaged with the Iowa conference or the families that participate. And just figure out what their needs are and how to better serve them in the future.”

Hall—who can be reached at hall@movalley.usta.com with questions or to start the conversation—noted USTA Missouri Valley can connect homeschool families with tennis providers in their area. For those wanting a more competitive option, USTA offerings such as Junior Team Tennis might fit the bill.

Homeschool families and co-ops can receive a free equipment kit from the USTA through the Net Generation program. Kits include red balls, caution tape, sidewalk chalk, curriculum materials and more. Individuals can view steps to receive an elementary or secondary kit by clicking here.

Previously, USTA Missouri Valley has teamed up with USTA national to promote tennis at Great Homeschool Conventions in the St. Louis area. Homeschool parents like Boeck are seeing the value of incorporating tennis into their kids’ PE schedules.

“It’s just something that is a good—as everybody says—lifetime sport,” Boeck said. “The exercise, hand-eye coordination; you can continue working on it throughout your whole life. You really don’t ever have to stop playing.

“For the kids, I thought it was fun. They always enjoy seeing their friends outside of school. It’s fun for them to participate in sports with their friends and learn new skills together. It’s also a good opportunity for the parents to socialize, catch up and build parent relationships as well.”

Learn more about homeschool tennis by clicking here. Check out additional back-to-school stories from across USTA Missouri Valley by clicking here.