Free racquets, lasting impact at Waverly summer tennis camp

For the past few years, a summer tennis camp has been held within the Waverly School District for any students interested in learning more about the game.

This four-day event is for all kids in grades three through 12. Coach Zach Tegler said his favorite part about the camp is seeing the kids have fun and watching them learn about the game of tennis.

“If they are new players who have never held racquets before, it is fun to see their confidence grow as they learn how to hit the ball,” he said. “If they are experienced players who have done the camp in the past, it is fun to see how much they have improved since the previous year.

“And it’s great to establish relationships with the kids who will grow up and be in the high school program someday.”

Tegler, who coaches tennis at Waverly High School just outside of Lincoln, said the camp helps build the rosters of the high school teams. Several of the high school players over the years grew up attending the summer camps.

Thanks to a USTA grant, all participants in the Waverly camp received free tennis racquets to use during the camp and to take home with them.

“The USTA grant we received is a crucial piece of that process because it allowed us to put racquets in the hands of new players,” Tegler said. “Which allows them not only to spend one week at camp learning about the game, but to continue playing and practicing year-round.

“My No. 1 goal for all of the players I coach is that they love the game. And if they do, they will continue to play tennis well after they leave the Waverly program.”

Learn more about USTA grant opportunities by clicking here.