Youth Rec League Teaches Tennis in New Team Setting
WESTBOROUGH, MA – Youth Rec League is USTA New England’s newest community tennis initiative, targeting beginner and intermediate players from red ball through high school. Partnering directly with parks and recreation departments, the program exposes local kids to tennis in an inclusive team setting, aligning with the more traditional team sports.
“We try to make it like other youth sports. We require them to practice at least once a week, modify the rules a bit to accommodate more beginner players, and we allow coaches to stand on the court to remind players of basics like where to stand and how to keep score,” said Jon Kostek, USTA New England Senior. Manager of Youth Play .
Started in 2022, Youth Rec League is played in local communities to allow for friendly competition between neighboring towns. Currently, the league runs in Connecticut in the Greater Hartford area as well as in Southern Connecticut.
The league boasts 30 teams across five divisions of play, including red and orange ball, middle school and high school varsity and junior varsity.
“We've heard nothing but positive things from the coaches and parents and we’ve had a lot of repeat kids, so that’s an indication that it’s working,” said Kostek. “Kids are playing tennis and learning but there’s no pressure on them. They’re smiling, laughing, and you see them working together to get the correct score even though they’re playing against each other.”
Youth Rec League plans to expand this fall on the Connecticut Shoreline (Guilford area) and then ultimately around New England to align with USTA New England’s beginner Tennis in the Parks programming.
“Youth Rec League will be a perfect next step for players who have participated in Tennis in the Parks,” said Sarah Wishart, USTA New England’s Director of Recreational Programs & Facilities. “Hopefully once they complete Tennis in the Parks, they will be ready for an introduction to match play while continuing to learn, having fun and being with their friends.”
To learn more about our USTA New England recreational programming, click here.
If you're interested in starting a Youth Rec League in your area, contact Jon Kostek at kostek@newengland.usta.com.
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