Leaves are falling from the trees, turkeys are running scared, and pumpkin spice is all the rage. The telltale trappings of fall are amongst us. We need not look any further however than our sports fields to identify the season with football, field hockey and of course soccer players looking very much like ants scurrying around a toppled anthill when seen from above. But what in the distance to wandering eyes does appear? We see a tennis court with youthful players and their parents having fun while hitting a small yellow ball on top of painted rectangles. How simple the idea is, yet it's one that seemingly flies in the face of convention. Do they know it is November? Tennis is a summer sport. Right? Wrong! Tennis is the only professional sport that is played twelve months a year, all over the world, and requires athletes to be constantly vigilante with their fitness, skills, and mental toughness.
Even more controversial than playing tennis is the fall is the presence of parents on the court with their kids. Doesn't every coach know that a parent's place is on the outside looking in? Apparently this coach doesn't understand that concept. Recently I had the chance to rent the movie "The Internship" starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. And although just a movie-made depiction of real life incidents, there was a scene where Wilson approaches the edge of the baseball field with some vocal and unwelcome advice. The coach subsequently bullies him and orders him off "his" field. Here all this time I thought sports were a friendly, community activity, especially when parents pay hefty fees for their kids to be there, and not one where adult coaches act like kings protecting the walls of their castle.
At a time of year when many parents find themselves sipping a hot beverage and standing on the sidelines only watching their kids enjoy mainstream fall sports, I know of some moms and dads who have had a great time actually participating with their kids and learning together. This is a snapshot of tennis here in Gloucester Twp., and we have a thriving program available spring, summer AND fall through the Gloucester Township Recreation Department. We've just finished the fall program this November—six weeks of fun and learning—on Saturday mornings, and it is safe to say that both parents and their kids will miss the camaraderie, team spirit, exercise, and skill building they experienced.
Now with winter on the way, outside tennis will of course be impossible since the ball doesn't bounce very well under the temperatures of 45 to 50 degrees, nor does it work well with snow on the courts. But much like Frosty the Snowman, it will return next year. Congratulations to all of the kids and parents who participated this year of 2013, and I hope we at Gotta Play Tennis have helped you begin to build a special-activity bond with your kids that can last a lifetime. We call it tennis. Be sure to see us again in spring of 2014 for more fun and learning. If you would like to give the gift of tennis this holiday season, see our website for gift certificate availability.
Ron Miller is a PTR Junior Certified tennis instructor who teaches group and private lessons for kids and adults through Gloucester Township Recreation in the SJ area. His website and podcast (in iTunes) provide free instructional content for beginners to advanced players.
