January 2008 -- The headline on a previous message written by USPTA President Harry Gilbert accurately sums up his feelings about USPTA’s public relations program and its goal to promote USPTA members. The headline read, "Who We Are" is about you and me.
With the arrival of the new year and with this issue of
ADDvantage magazine, this theme continues to hold true. With your support and participation, USPTA’s new public relations campaign - centered on the health and fitness benefits of tennis - will deliver publicity and business to you.
New board member and public relations committee chairman, Jack Groppel, Ph.D., introduces
Tennis - for the health of it!SM on Page 10.
He’s enthusiastic about using his expertise in exercise physiology and nutrition to promote USPTA and its members, and I’m sure some of you will see him out in the industry pushing this and other USPTA messages in the coming months.
Although the health and fitness benefits of tennis have been touted over the years by various tennis groups, it seems the message may have gotten lost long before it reached the masses. USPTA’s goal is to get the public’s attention with its latest PR push, and that’s where you come in.
You can make a huge difference in our campaign to get people to take notice of the health and fitness benefits of tennis. You’re on the front lines, you’re active in your communities and you’re the experts on tennis.
USPTA helps you deliver
Tennis - for the health of it! with a wonderful array of programs that target various ages and playing levels.
You can get the youngest players started with Little Tennis
®. Parents can be encouraged to participate with their children, and tennis becomes a family affair.
The USPTA Junior Circuit™ program is a natural progression from Little Tennis. It provides inexperienced juniors with their first taste of competition, but doesn’t require the travel or time commitments of higher-level competition.
The USPTA Adult Tennis League
SM has been around for years and provides professionals and players with off-season activity. Adults who participate enjoy the social as well as physical benefits of our game.
People who already play may jump at the chance to get their nonplaying friends into the game, and the health and fitness hook may present the best tool. If so, start out by using the USPTA Member-Beginner Guest event. Each playing member pairs up with his or her guest to take a short lesson, mingle at a reception or light lunch, and then play a round-robin tournament.
The programming ideas are endless. The industry’s best example of a fitness-oriented program is Cardio Tennis. You might also consider recruiting your club’s fitness members by inviting them to a cardio event. This is another way to capture new interest for tennis and your programs.
Of course, as spring approaches, we will begin to promote Tennis Across America™. This program is another great way to recruit new players. The original, free grassroots program offers players a free lesson or clinic that can be followed by additional tennis activities.
Whether you offer Little Tennis, the Adult Tennis League or an original program of your own, we want you to promote your services as a tennis leader and the person through whom players can get fit and healthy with tennis.
In the coming months you’ll see more stories, ads and resources promoting this campaign. It’s our hope that you will embrace
Tennis - for the health of it! and realize the benefits it offers to tennis and you.
