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Piker, a lifelong tennis player, wanted to see tennis in schools, particularly at Cornwall Consolidated School.

At the urging of Deirdre McCormack, USTA New England’s Director of Community Tennis, Piker attended last year’s School Tennis Summit at Babson College.

“The School Summit really opened my eyes to what was possible in terms of bringing tennis into schools,” Piker said. “What I took away was that the curriculum is so strong and complete that even a phys. ed teacher who isn’t necessarily a tennis player can see the value in teaching tennis and will have the tools to do it.”

After Piker convinced a group of schools within the district to give tennis a try, he helped to organize and facilitate a QuickStart Tennis workshop that was attended by area physical education teachers, parents and young players.

USTA New England Community Relations manager Nikita Zaharov ran the workshop.

“Nikita was great, and he brought a lot of insight,” Piker said. “In a short time, the teachers and parents got a good, vigorous exposure to the program and became familiar with the concept of QuickStart.”

Piker’s efforts were rewarded last spring, when the area’s after-school program got off the ground and about 25 students in grades K-5 took part. Piker noted that only about half the participating students had previous experience in tennis. The program generated enough interest and positive response that it will continue during the 2010-2011 academic year.

“This is something that I feel strongly about,” Piker said. “I’ve been playing tennis since I was 4 years old and the game has given back so much to me over the years. As a lone parent, trying to start a program may have presented more obstacles, but working with the USTA and having access to their resources made for a successful and rewarding experience.”

Dad, USTA Team to Bring Tennis to SchoolsCORNWALL, CT – Todd Piker had the motivation and the fortitude to approach his local school about bolstering its tennis programming on his own.

But, he didn’t have to.

“It’s certainly a huge advantage when you go to meet with a school and make a proposal when you have an organization like the USTA on your side,” said Piker, who founded the Cornwall Bridge Community Tennis Association. “I think schools are open to the idea of adding tennis programming, but when you can show them that the USTA has looked so carefully at every element and has so much in place, it makes it a lot easier.”

Future PE Teachers Get Tennis LessonSome members of the next generation of physical education teachers will be armed with the training and ability to teach tennis in their classes when their careers begin.

Thanks to a program spearheaded by USTA New England Community Relations manager Eric Driscoll, more than 120 future physical education teachers from three New Hampshire colleges were given the basics and more of tennis teaching.

“It was very interesting to speak with some of the students during the class,” Driscoll said. “Most of them had no idea that they could teach tennis without having to have courts to do it. A lot of them had never played tennis, either, so I think the time spent was valuable to them.”

Driscoll held 90-minute trainings at the University of New Hampshire, Keene State College and Plymouth State College last spring.

The session was both informational and hands-on, and Driscoll gave the students an opportunity to handle and play with modified equipment designed for beginner players. In addition, he discussed means by which any gymnasium can be used to facilitate tennis teaching and play.

USTA New England’s Eric Driscoll (center) addresses a group of future physical

education teachers.

School Tennis NotebookFall 2010

Attend a School Summit, Win Tennis Equipment for Your School

WESTBORO, MA – The 2010 USTA New England School Summits are coming soon and this year, participants can win free equipment for their school.

Now in its third year, USTA New England’s School Tennis Summits will bring together experts in the area of introducing tennis into a school curriculum or as an after-school program and educators and facilitators from across New England for a unique day-long, interactive seminar.

The summits will take place from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20 at Babson College and from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27 at Yale University in New Haven, CT.

Renowned trainer Michael Kolendo will introduce specialized equipment and a curriculum designed for young tennis players with little or no prior experience in the sport. Participants will also learn how to turn any environment – gymnasium, parking lot, playground or classroom – into a safe and fun tennis court.

“This is a truly unique experience and we’ve seen some extraordinary results from individuals who have attended our School Summits in the past,” said Deirdre McCormack, USTA New England’s Director of Community Tennis. “These people took what they learned, took advantage of the resources available to their schools and made tennis programming a reality.”

USTA New England is committed to making sure that all kids have an opportunity to play and learn from this lifetime sport and reap the benefits of an activity that helps develop the habits of an active, healthy lifestyle.

Lunch will be provided and registration is free. Those who register at least one week in advance of their respective conferences will be entered in a drawing to win free equipment for their school.

USTA New England will host two School Tennis Summits in September.

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No-Cut High School Team State Champs Again

In 2010, Carr led his team to its 12th consecutive Rhode Island Division 1 State Championship.

The USTA encourages high school tennis coaches to adapt a “no-cut” policy by providing benefits and resources to participating teams, including a recognition certificate and commendation letter sent to the coach, athletic director and principal, a customizable press release announcing the school’s involvement in the No-Cut Coach Initiative, No-Cut Tennis Team banner and much more. For more information on No-Cut, click here.

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI – The most impressive number associated with South Kings-town High School boys’ tennis coach Andy Carr isn’t the hundreds of wins he has racked up over the years, or even the state championships.

Carr’s most impressive number is zero – as in the amount of players he cuts from his team each year.

South Kingstown participates in the USTA’s High School No-Cut program, which ensures that every student who wishes to play is welcomed as a member of the team. Andy Carr

School Tennis NotebookFall 2010

Click Here to Become a fan of USTA New England!

Click Here to Register for the Yale University

School Summit!Monday, September 27th, 9:30a.m. - 4:00p.m.

Yale University, New Haven, CTCulman-Heyman Tennis Courts

Click Here to Register for the Babson College

School Summit!Monday, September 20th

9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Babson College, Wellesley, MA