Adult Spring Leagues Coming Soon
With the calendar flipping to February and the start of spring inching closer, USTA St. Louis is advocating adult players to begin planning and forming teams for the impending 2021 leagues season.
While the COVID-19 pandemic washed away most 2020 leagues, Jill Kunkel — USTA St. Louis adult league coordinator — said players can take encouragement that plans are in place for the district to have a full adult league schedule this year. The process of securing courts for the spring has already commenced, as Kunkel and USTA St. Louis is working to get players in the open air flow of outdoor leagues as quickly as possible.
While team commitments are not open quite yet, captains and players can begin researching league options and starting the process of assembling squads. Interested individuals can check out league options by clicking here and looking under the ‘St. Louis’ heading. Additional information on USTA St. Louis adult leagues is available by clicking here or here.
“People should join and become a part of leagues now because it’s organized and predictable — you have someone really managing that league schedule,” Kunkel said. “You are joining the leading governance of tennis at the local level. You’re part of a group that’s trying to support and grow the sport in an organized fashion. The social aspect is a really big part of it, too; being part of a team.”
With the indoor 18 & over league recently kicking off (and running until the first week of May), the next available leagues to sign up for are all outdoor options. The 55 & over league is slated to begin April 12 and conclude June 10, while the 65 & over league starts April 19 and wraps up June 10. The 40 & over league — USTA St. Louis’s largest adult league featuring better than 700 participants — starts June 14 and finishes August 5.
Mixed leagues are likewise available for adults aged 55 & over (April 10 through May 22), 18 & over (June 7 through August 26) and 40 & over (June 13 through August 29). An adult social league for individuals aged 18 to 45 is slated for May 28 through August 13.
Kunkel said players can anticipate an announcement for the opening of a given league and an accompanying call for team commitments about one month prior to the league’s start date. She noted that USTA St. Louis is always happy to add more teams and would love to have new captains step up to form squads of their own. Individuals interested in potentially becoming captains can reach out to Kunkel to learn more — leagues@ustastl.com
Kunkel is likewise looking for an individual to take over the role of coordinator for the 40 & over league. This paid position would ideally begin working in February and participate in the 40 & over league. Responsibilities include securing courts, locking down team commitments and building the schedule. The individual would work between 5 to 10 hours per week during peak season (while the league is actually running). If interested, contact Kunkel for additional details.
Kunkel encouraged all USTA league players to add Saturday, May 22 to their calendar. That day, from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Dwight Davis Tennis Center, USTA St. Louis is hosting an adult league player party. There will be tennis, food, drinks and fun for all attendees.
“We just want everyone to know how much we appreciate our league players by having a party this year,” Kunkel said. “Just celebrating all the great tennis and friendships and competition.”
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