The Wichita Tennis Open Kid’s Day was hosted at Wichita State University on June 11. The event provided several hours of fun activities for over 300 children from Colvin, Evergreen and Lynette Woodard community centers.

 

Tennis drills were hosted outside of the Heskett Center. Volunteers from around the community played games with the kids and taught them how to properly hold their racquets. A live DJ provided energetic music and free shaved ice was served afterwards to help the kids cool down.

 

“I have been doing the Kid’s Day since the start of the Wichita Tennis Open five years ago,” said Jaren Glaser, a USTA Kansas Tennis Service Representative and the organizer of the event. “We keep adding to it and growing it every year.”

 

This year, the children were given a quick tour of the WSU campus, as well as the chance to watch professional matches and hear from players about their tennis careers. ADVERTISEMENT Lawn games and snacks were also provided.

 

“I think the kids are truly in awe of everything that happens within the day,” Glaser said. “It takes things that they may not have gotten to see, do or learn about before and brings it to them.”

 

To continue encouraging tennis, the participating community centers will receive further programing from Riverside Tennis Center throughout the year.  

 

“These are memories and experiences that will live on in the kid’s minds and hearts,” Glaser said. “It really serves as an important part of their growing process.”

 

Helping underwrite the Kid’s Day was USTA Missouri Valley, USTA Kansas and the Maureen Connelly Brinker Foundation.