Junior Tennis at BTTC!

Junior Tennis at BTTC is one of our highest priorities. Since Robin and I took over in 2020, we have (along with Matt I) put significant time, effort, resources and court time building the tennis opportunities for our youth. Many adult members do not see much of what is happening (other than Courts 1 and 2 being very busy). Often we get asked “why?”. 

This last week I was at a music conference and at dinner I was asked by a bunch of non-athletes “Why prioritize Junior Tennis when none of your juniors will play pro?” I thought of tennis (and music) and concluded that the purpose is to allow kids to enter the life journey of tennis. Not to be pro-hitters, but to love the sport and friendships as much as we do.

Most all of us started tennis in our youth. Yes—stop reading and think back a great memory of tennis when you were a kid. I have so many. Whether public courts, private clubs or the high school courts, we all learned far more than tennis growing up in the sport

On the courts and through the sport, we all learned:

• the ability to compete, but compete fairly and with respect. Most of us learned that if the ball was out and opponent says it was in, heck, just play two. 

• the ability to come back. In tennis and in life, we have all faced set backs: down 5-1, just tore an ankle, whatever. And tennis teaches us that every time there is a serve, it is a new opportunity to keep fighting and come back.

• the ability and need to stay healthy. Why do that set of sit ups, stretch daily and try and watch what you eat? Because we all want to play forever! Just staying fit for tennis means that we can live a much fuller life all around.

• the ability to make friends. Really, that is what I cherish about tennis the most. Some of my very best friends are people I met on the courts. In fact, many at the club are people I first played in a tournament, competitive relationships that grew into much more (thought with a few, it is still pure war once the ball is in play).

 When in 2000, Junior tennis was not the Club’s strong suit. So we dedicated lots of our energy to create a program that allowed our community’s youth to have an open door to tennis. We have:

• year-round clinics for ages 5-18 (and beyond)

• school year High School Tennis leagues

• competitive Tennis “JETT” programs

• a huge variety of summer clinics and camps

• the BTTC Boys and Girls Tennis Scholarships (Will be announced in next weeks newsletter)

Plus we have so many adult members that reach out and hit with juniors.

When setting up the curriculum for each of the programs, we of course focus on the tennis skills. But Matt, TJ, Cooper, AnnElise, Zoe and Charl all incorporate the wide variety of “life lessons” so that our Junior Tennis plays have the opportunity for the same great life of tennis that we all have.  That’s why we prioritize Junior Tennis.

So if you get a chance, swing by Court 1 and 2 during clinics and remember back when you were first smacking the ball around. And envision all of the life opportunities those kids can have in tennis.

~Doug