Tennis Thrives in Bolivar Thanks to Varga's Work

Fanni Varga wasn’t aiming for a USTA Missouri Valley Gold Star award, she and the Southwest Baptist University tennis program are just doing what they can to grow interest and participation in the sport in Bolivar.

“We don’t advertise or sell to outside people what we do,” said Varga, head coach of the Bearcats’ men’s and women’s teams. “We just want to help and do our work, therefore it was great to hear that somebody nominated us for this award.”

In honor of its 100th anniversary this year, USTA Missouri Valley is recognizing 100 deserving tennis providers, players, partners and more throughout the section. These Gold Star awards recognize contributions to support and grow the game in USTA Missouri Valley.

The nomination came from Michael Marotta, Tennis Service Representative for USTA Missouri. And it was well earned.

“Coach Varga is very committed to growing the sport of tennis and bringing opportunity to the Bolivar community,” he said. “The SBU coaching staff and athletes have given time to working with the Bolivar High School teams. Coach Varga has become the school partner for the Bolivar School District, allowing for the USTA to give equipment and curriculum to their physical education departments.”

What does that work look like? Varga said the SBU team has been offering free tennis clinics during the fall and spring semesters to local adults, high schoolers and young people.

“During these events we involve our players and coaching staff and we really try to make people love the sport of tennis and see all the benefits of playing,” she said. “It makes us happy to see that many people come out and use our courts during the evenings and play tennis.”

There are also summer camps and even some boarding camps, at least until COVID-19 hit.

“During the free adult clinics we invited the BHS coaches to help them get better, and additionally we taught them some drills they could do with their players and explained why we use certain drills,” Varga said.

Her partnership with Bolivar schools extends well beyond the high school, thanks to the partnership with the USTA.

“They asked me last fall if I was interested in helping out so the schools can receive equipment and curriculum to teach tennis and I immediately loved the idea,” Varga said. “The younger kids can get exposed to the sport and with the right education they more likely will pursue it later.”