USTA National wheelchair staff took to the courts at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Greenville, SC., from Oct. 27-29 to provide a two-day forum on how to become a wheelchair tennis coach.

 

Boasting 16 courts, The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Greenville, S.C., provides sports programming for the entire community, and a special program for wheelchair tennis. Once a week they host a two-hour tennis practice for wheelchair players, providing a space for players to hone in their wheelchair tennis game, and provide free equipment and court time for wheelchair tennis players. 

 

The program was led by USTA National Wheelchair Tennis Manager Jason Harnett and assisted by USTA National Wheelchair Manager Jason Allen. Beginning on Friday afternoon, Allen and Harnett led 12 participants in an informative weekend sharing their expertise of wheelchair tennis. ADVERTISEMENT They showed proper coaching techniques, math review videos and movement drills. USTA staff also shared insight on how to bolster participation and interest in the wheelchair program. 

 

 “Because both of them have so much experience,” said Anibal Braga, Director of Tennis at the Kroc Corps Community Center, “it made it so interesting. It was really helpful, it showed us how to coach wheelchair players, and therefore can attract more players.”