The day began with presentations on the state of tennis nationally and in the northern region. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) sees the game growing over the past 5 years and in a position of strength. As we think about the future growth of the game, my thought is that tennis will grow based on its own appeal and the system that helps to grow the sport. In the north, my experience is that interest in and awareness of tennis in the general public is quite low. Given this, we need to promote and share about the sport to create greater awareness and spur interest. In this regard in the youth space, the Try Tennis Clinics and community outreach events that we ran this year in Minnesota schools, city parks, and apartment complexes have much potential to expand the reach and growth of the game in addition to the community based programs that we run.
The other presentations on fitness and the mental side including on self compassion, mindfulness and meditation created ideas for these areas to be enhanced in our program. As we strive for positive youth development via sports, if through our coaching and programs we can create not only higher levels of play and fitness, but also greater mental stability, calmness, and the ability to face situations with poise and character, all of which sports provides a unique platform to shape and develop, I believe we’ll be making a meaningful impact in the lives of our participants and also in society.
In the all consuming work of growing Tenicity Tennis Program, it’s nice to have a change of environment and the opportunity to learn, connect, share, and grow. Much work needs to be done and I’m excited with the opportunities we have to grow the lifelong game of tennis!
Harsh Mankad
Founder and President of Tenicity
