Welcome to the 2010 Team tennis Academy!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

The Grand Traverse Team Tennis Academy

"An Every Step Counts Program"

Be a part of one of the nations leaders in
tennis development
PRESENTED BY:

"The United States Tennis Association considers the Team Tennis Academy as one of the best and most innovative in the country. We use this as a model for others to follow.” - Scott Schultz, U.S. Tennis Association Managing Director of Recreational Tennis

REASONS TO SIGN-UP FOR THE TEAM TENNIS ACADEMY THIS SUMMER
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Three Sites! (TC West, SEAS and Elk Rapids)

Mon-Thurs 8:30 - 10:00 AM or 10:30 AM - 12 Noon, Evening classes too!
(all sessions are still open)

Junior Classes  (4-18)          High School Classes          Adult Classes

"CLICK EACH POINT ABOVE AND BELOW FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION"

1. LOW COST

2.Nationally Recognized

3. Largest CertifiedProfessional Staff

4. USTA Quickstart Format
   (Beginners get better faster!)

5. FREE Tennis Racquet

6. Junior Team Tennis (NEW)

7. Parent/Child Round Robins
   (every two weeks) NEW

8. FREE Sessions

9. Foam ball, Transition ball
    and Hard ball tennis!

10. Rapid Rally Competition (NEW)

11. Popsicle Thursdays (NEW)

12. Earn "FitKids" Miles

13. Learn about healthy lifestyles

14. Earn tickets for being healthy

15. Tennis Carnival with $2000
        in prizes to draw for

16. Tennis trivia on Facebook! (NEW)

17. GET GOOD FAST!!
       (Go home ready to play)

18. Because

REGISTRATION FORMS
Three Sites! Click School or below for Registration Form

TC WEST SEAS ELK RAPIDS

10 Courts
Hitting Wall
36' Courts
60' Courts
78' Courts
High School Site

CLICK HERE FOR
REGISTRATION FORM

4 Courts
East Side Location
36' Courts
60' Courts
78' Courts
SF Instructors

CLICK HERE FOR
REGISTRATION FORM

4 Courts
Elk Rapids H.S.
36' Courts
60' Courts
78' Courts
ER Instructors

CLICK HERE FOR
REGISTRATION FORM

2010 Academy Info

Three Sites
The Tennis Academy has three sites in 2010. We hope that you can play at one of them this summer. They are:

            1. TC WEST SENIOR HIGH
            2. ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON
            3. ELK RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL

All of the registrations are available on the site page. You can download a form, send it in and be ready to play like the pros!

Please check each individual registration forms for all days and times.

The Traverse City site times do vary from the Elk rapids times
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Junior Classes (4-18)
Juniors of all ages can learn to play at a pace that is right for them, with the proper balls, equipment, net height and racquet length. From the very beginner to the ranked junior player, we offer classes for everyone with professional instruction.
Most of these classes are in the morning from either 8:30 – 10:00 AM or 10:30 – 12:00 Noon. High School classes run in the evening.
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High School Classes
Thinking about trying out for one of the high school teams? We have an evening high school class that combines an hour of technical skills followed by an hour of tactical skills. Singles, doubles and all of the tactics and strategies that go along with them
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Adult Classes
We offer two different adult class times. Either 8:30 – 10:00 AM at TC West while the junior classes are going on (this is perfect for parents who want to hit at the same time as their kids are) or on Wednesday nights from 6-7:30 at TC West. The adult classes range from beginner to intermediate players. All basic strokes and strategies are covered. Adults do receive a new racquet to keep and to take home.

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1. LOW COST
Thanks to Grants from the USTA and local donors, some of the costs get covered and the savings goes to you the player. Our goal is to be able to show as many players in the area what a great lifetime sport tennis is and its benefits. If you sign-up for three sessions within a family, you will receive a 4th session for free. Scholarships are also available for those in need.
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2. Nationally Recognized
“The United States tennis Association considers the Team tennis Academy as one of the best and most innovative in the country. We use this as a model for others to follow.” – Scott Schultz. US Tennis Association managing Director of Recreational Tennis

“The Success of the Team Tennis Academy has been shared nationwide as an example on how to reach out and provide tennis playing opportunities to hundreds of kids within a community.” – Jason Jamison, USTA National Manager, Schools Tennis
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3. Largest Certified Professional Staff inNorthern Michigan
The Team tennis Academy has a staff of five United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) certified teaching professionals (the largest in northern Michigan) and many part-time tennis instructors ranging from, high school coaches, college players, high school players and local instructors from the area. Director, Chris “Mick” Michalowski has received numerous National, Midwest, State and Local teaching awards from the USPTA and the USTA. Go to the website home page and click the “Tennis Staff” tab for details on the members of our teaching staff.

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4. USTA QuickStart Format

What is QuickStart?
QuickStart Tennis is an exciting new play format for learning tennis, designed to bring kids into the game by utilizing specialized equipment, shorter court dimensions and modified scoring, all tailored to age and size. It is divided into two different levels-- ages 8 and under and ages 10 and under.

It's the fast, fun way to get kids into tennis-- and keep them playing.

The Team Tennis Academy was recognized as one of the top QuickStart Pilot sites in the nation when QuickStart was evolving. The Academy even had a hand in developing the parameters of QuickStart’s components at the USTA National meeting in Chicago.

QuickStart is not a “crutch” because the players are beginners. Quickstart allows players to hit more like advanced players right from the start and play with the same techniques and tactics that high level players use all because of the slower ball speed, and the right size equipment. This allows them to improve and GET BETTER FASTER!

We have all seen how young kids (and adults) using hard balls have 2 shot rallies and the balls bounce over their heads. QuickStart allows the ball to bounce at a level that is at the perfect height of the younger players.

People get trapped into thinking that if a player is going to use full court, hard balls and a full-size racquet eventually, they should just start now. This may sound rational but this is a “crutch” to the swing patterns, footwork, technical and tactical components of developing one’s game.

One study from our Academy showed the difference in rally length using a “hard” ball vs. a “transition” or “low-compression” ball with 8 year olds.

From the service line, the average rally length was 1.5 shots back and forth and with a transition ball, it was 7.25! Imagine what that will do to a young person’s confidence!

The Academy uses the 36’ court for 6 and under players, foam balls and 23” racquets with a shorter and lower net. *

For 10 and under players we use 60’ courts with transition balls, normal net height and 25” racquets. *

For players 10 and older, the Academy uses “hard” balls, normal net height and a 78’ court. *

*As always, if we see that a player needs to advance up to the next level (with a different ball and court), they are moved up. Age is not the only determining factor level

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5. Free Tennis Racquet
All players in the morning sessions and adult evening sessions will receive a new tennis racquet to keep and take home. We want you to get better and to be able to practice at home. If you have the equipment, it will be a lot easier for you to do so. We will also be providing video clips on out “Facebook” page of different ways to practice and play games at home without a court.
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6. Junior Team Tennis (NEW)
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Leagues. Fridays 12 Noon

USTA Jr. Team Tennis is the largest junior tennis league in the USA with over 100,000 participants nation-wide. USTA Jr. Team Tennis is often compared to Little League Baseball, as the program offers juniors the opportunity to develop their individual and team skills in a fun, yet competitive atmosphere. Winning teams progress from Local to District to Section to National Championships.

The league will start July 2, 2010

We can take care of the details for you, but just in case, here they are

Minimum Requirements:

• Name league USTA Jr. Team Tennis

• 2 teams in a division, three boys and three girls minimum per team

• Each player wanting to advance to championships must participate in 3 local league matches that take place on at least two separate dates.

Costs:

· $35 League fee which include a Nike "Dri-Fit" uniform shirt, balls court costs

• All participants must be USTA Members. $19.00 (go to usta.com for benefits)

Player registration ($3.00 TennisLink fee), match schedules, and results must be recorded in TennisLink for all leagues.

Formats:

Local leagues may use any format that fits the characteristics of the league. Below are the recommended formats. The World TeamTennis format is used at playoffs.

Quickstart- Used for beginner leagues in the ten, eight and under divisions. It is a modified team tennis format that gets players playing the tennis on a scaled down court. World TeamTennis- One boys' singles, one girls' singles, one boys' doubles, one girls' doubles and two mixed doubles matches. All games count towards overall team score.

Levels of Play:

USTA Jr. Team Tennis offers the following levels based on age and NTRP rating:

Beginner 8,10, 12, 14, 18 and Under: 2.5 JNTRP and Below

Intermediate 8, 10, 12, 14, 18 and Under: 3.0 JNTRP and Below

Advanced 8, 10, 12, 14, 18 and Under: 3.5 JNTRP and Above

• All participants must be age eligible for each age division through Aug. 31, 2010.
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7. Parent/Child Round Robins (NEW)
Each Saturday following the two-week sessions, we will be holding a non-elimination, non-competitive parent/child doubles round robin from 9 AM – 11:00 AM at West Senior High School.

The idea is to get kids out with their parent, neighbor, aunt, uncle, friend (anyone really) and put what they just learned to use on the tennis court in a fun non-competitive atmosphere. A fun way to end the session.

Coaches will be present and supervising the matches to help out when needed.

Medals and prizes for all junior participants.

You can sign- by checking the box on your registration form and we are working out a way to do so online as well.
Cost: $7/team
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8. Free Sessions!

If you sign-up for 3 sessions in any family combination, you will receive a FREE 4th session!

For example if you sign-up for the first 3 sessions, you will get the 4th session for free. If you and, let’s say your sister, sign-up for the first session and you both want to do another session, you will only have to pay for one of you in the next session because you have already paid for 3 sessions within the family. Any 3 session’s paid for within a family will result in a free 4th session.
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9. Foam ball, transition ball and hard ball tennis
As described above the team tennis Academy uses 3 different balls to help speed up the

Learning process, the enjoyment and confidence of young tennis players.

Foam balls: Used for 6 year old players and younger

Transition balls (1/2 the bounce of hard balls): Used for 10 and under players

Hard balls: Used for players over 10 and those players who’s level of play (even if they are under 10 years of age) initiates the use of a different ball.
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10. Rapid Rally Competition (NEW)
At the end of each session, we will hold a Rapid Rally Competition. Rapid Rally is an against the wall contest for all different age levels. See how many balls you hit against the wall in 30 seconds. Winners and runners-up from each session will advance to the finals at the end of the summer. At the finals, we will hold another live competition for each age division. Winners will receive a 12-week session at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, runners up will receive a 2-week 2011 Tennis Academy Session and third place will receive a one-hour group lesson with four friends and swimming at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. You may sign-up for the Rapid Rally during the first day of registrations or during the session. Divisions include 18 and under, 14 and under and 10 and 6 and under.
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11. Popsicle Thursdays (NEW)
Ian had a great idea last year and it was a hit! Why stop now? On Thursdays, Ian will be handing out his favorite flavors to all. Please let the staff know if your child is not able to accept popsicles.
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12. Earn “FitKids” Miles
Being healthy is a focus of the Team Tennis Academy. On the first day of registration, you will receive a list of activities that you can do out of class and earn “FitKids” miles. You will earn a ticket for every mile that you chart for the entire summer! These tickets will go into the barrel to be drawn for at the end of the season tennis carnival where over $2000 in prizes will be won!
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13. Learn About Healthy Lifestyles

Not only do we want you to learn what a healthy lifetime sport tennis is, we want you to learn what you can do to stay healthy on and off of the tennis court. Each week, you will learn about what it means to be healthy in regard to exercise and nutrition. The hope is to make choices that are a regular part of your everyday life in order for you to live a healthy lifestyle.
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14. Earn Tickets for Being Healthy

Each time you make a healthy choice, you will receive tickets that will go into the barrel for the end of the summer drawing. You have to keep track, but the rewards may be fabulous!
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15. Tennis Carnival with over $2000 in Prizes to Draw for

On Friday, August 6th, we will be holding our end of the year carnival. The carnival is two-hours of on court stations where you can win even more tickets for the drawing! Serving, forehands, volleys, beat the pro…….and all sorts of ways to win more tickets. We will then do a drawing right on court for the prizes. Prizes will range from tennis ball key chains, hats, racquets, bags, backpacks, private lessons, two-week academy certificates, 12-week Grand Traverse Resort certificates and many more prizes. It is a lot of fun and a great way to end a summer of the Team tennis Academy. We will also hold our Rapid Rally Finals following the carnival.
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16. Tennis Trivia on Facebook (NEW)

We are now on Facebook. Go to our Facebook page and get lots of ideas on how to play tennis, how you can practice at home and even video of all sorts of tennis related activities ranging from tips, tactics, strategies and at home ways to have fun with your friends without a tennis court. Become a fan of the Team tennis Academy!
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17. GET GOOD FAST (Go home ready to play)
With the new modern techniques of teaching, players now learn faster and can play with more ease than in the past. We also want you to be able to practice at home once your Academy session(s) are over. We will make sure you have the equipment and the “know-how” to be able to practice and play at home or on a local court. Drill and practice ideas will be available to you and basic singles and doubles strategies and tactic sheets will be available so you never feel out of position.
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18. Because

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Scholarship Info: We do offer scholarships for those in need. Scholarships are for one session onlyand can be used by one family member. To request a scholarship, please fill out the following form CLICK HERE

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