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thing like this is during school vaca- tion, when you can schedule match- es to fill "dead" mid -week, middav periods. The first year we set up this concept in New York, 300 kids from throughout the City participated in a two-month circuit, many of whom were playing in their first sanc- tioned tournament. 0 Combine adjoining local pro- grams to initiate team competitions. Developing an Advanced Academy Advanced tennis costs money_ money for coaching, tournaments and travel expenses, equipment, and, in seasonal areas, indoor prac- tice time. Offering a scholarship academy that helps dedicated youngsters offset some of these costs ,may not be a priority to most A/;V nl Teamtennis Reebok Urban Yout Racquets for Kids'- recreation directors, but it is the culmination of a truly com- prehensive tennis program. The continuity of a year-long program such as this is also a much needed incentive for .many inner -cin , kids if they are to have a go at pursuing a serious interest in tennis. Besides offsetting expenses, an academy dramatically increases the numher of compatible practice partners for many kids, enhancing their games and promoting comraderie. In 1981, the New York Parks De- partment began the Urban Youth Tennis Academy to help defray the high costs of advanced tennis train- ing so that more city kids might have an opportunity to realize their potential. Currently sponsored by Reebok International Ltd., the pro- gram provides free coaching, year- round practice time, equipment, 46/MAY 1989/P&R .. - L101 ZUUCidEEVII :Il 7-9 Alexander Ind. Princeton, iNu os,4', and tournament expenses for 50 promising economically under- privileged ,youngsters each year. The academy selects players at an- nual tryouts open to all local resi- dcnts. joince its inception more tiiail 100 participants have earned either a collegiate tennis scholarship or a LISTA sectional ranking after attend- ing the program. Corporate support for this type of program is a promising sign for. the future, and can be a rewarding in- vestment. While a sponsor is desir- able to help offset the expenses of such a program, it is not essential if you have sufficient staffing and court time. This can be difficult in many seasonal locations, however, when the public courts are closed for the winter. One way is to include a provision in your winter tennis concession that allows for a small .. _� _w,T_:.._.r—!.... �.. •._fdt: �-�-t3-sem-� 06nii:nO', PinuDomin):s ['izzA 1' := Tennis Everyone! Tn many wa�•s, the future of Amer- - ican tennis hinges upon the re source of our public parte program. Maintaining courts and preserving the publics right to in- dividual playing time will always be ' on our priority list. But we must also " include a variety of inventive pro- grams in this formula if we are to plant the seeds for another Amer- 1: ican "tennis boom, as well as per- haps for our future U.S. open cham- pions. Marsh Pointe johns Island, SC 29455