Social League More Popular Than Ever in 10th Year
WESTBOROUGH, MA – New England Social League has experienced wild success since its inception in 2015. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the program. The league has experienced tremendous growth and popularity, with locations selling out within minutes and new sites being added every year.
The Social League, which encourages players of all skill levels to compete in an easily accessible and fun way, now includes over 2,500 members and the demand is still as high as ever.
Playing exclusively on public courts, the Social League partners with various park and recreation departments throughout New England to provide players with convenient access to tennis in their local community. These collaborations allow players to easily connect with others in the area, fostering new relationships that create passionate leagues in all locations.
“The tremendous growth of our social tennis leagues over the past decade demonstrates the appeal of our accessible, welcoming and fun program format,” said Sarah Wishart, USTA New England Director of Recreation and Facilities.
As interest continued to grow over the years, the Social League expanded from a single site to a budding brand throughout New England. This is greatly credited to Leah Molofsky, Social League Coordinator at USTA New England, who has made significant contributions to growing the league in the last few years.
The league saw a 46% growth in player involvement from 2021–2022 and an additional 25% growth from 2022–2023. They are on track and expected to see even further growth this year with their 9 new sites from Bangor, ME to North Reading, MA, all created to fill the rising interest in these areas.
The Social League has a total of 41 sites across New England and over 2,500 players.
“Demand for our leagues continues to increase each year and we're excited to see this growth extend to new areas and allow more folks to get involved with tennis. We have already experienced several milestones in our 10th year and are so proud of how far the league has come in such a short time,” said Molofsky.
The Social League is an opportunity for tennis players in New England to connect and improve their skills through competitive matches, engaging games, and special events such as tournaments, speed dating, themed get-togethers, and craft nights. Many events include special collaborations with Wilson, Stretchlab, and other tennis brands offering exclusive perks.
By offering a variety of events and social outings founded on members' shared passion for tennis, the Social League has allowed tennis players to bond in a fun, new environment and has, in turn, created tight-knit communities throughout New England.
“The social tennis league has helped me meet some of my best friends in the area,” says Judy Boozer, Boston Social League player. “Not only do I play tennis with these folks, but we go out to dinner, explore the city, and even travel together! I love this league and am thankful for the people I’ve met through it who now make Boston feel like home.”
The Social League hosts themed nights and fun get-togethers for players.
The Social League began when Wishart noticed that there was a missed opportunity for a tennis league focused on camaraderie and having fun. Inspired by success stories of other co-ed social leagues spreading across the country, Wishart founded the first ever Social League at St. Lawrence School in Brookline, MA .
Coming together two nights a week, the Social League quickly reached capacity with 150 players eager to get started at the first site. Now, players are returning every year to the 41 and growing Social League sites across New England.
“The fact that players keep coming back after five or more years speaks to the strong sense of community we've fostered. It's a testament to the power of tennis to enrich lives,” said Wishart.
Beyond growing the social leagues' physical locations, the program aims to curate a diverse range of tennis players. Some members may be picking up a racquet for the first time in years, while others may be seasoned pros looking for a new opportunity to meet other players in the area. No matter what, players of any ability and experience now have the chance to meet others within their skill level.
With the continued success and growth of the Social League across New England, there will be many opportunities for fun and fitness in the future.
“I can't wait to see how our Social Leagues continue to grow and thrive in the coming years,” said Molofsky.
Read more about the Social League and how to register here.
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