In this article from the new Spring 2013 edition of Recreation Family Fun Guide, we take take a look at Roanoke County?s tennis clinics, and how the sport transcends age boundaries. Look for a series of?free introductory lessons on April 1st at various locations throughout the County.
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Mick Merlin had never touched a tennis racquet in his life. Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004, he didn?t expect to live this long, let alone pick up a new sport. Now in his late 50?s, Mick is a player and captain in three different leagues, with a local championship win under his belt.
?If somebody would have told me a few years ago that I?d be playing tennis I would have laughed in their face.? says Mick. ?Now I can tell you that it?s a whole lot more fun to go out and play, even if you lose , than to be sitting on the couch at home. You?d be surprised what you can do!?
Mick?s first exposure to the sport was through a Roanoke County tennis clinic. His instructor, Bill Fitzgibbon, was also introduced to tennis later in life, at the age of 34. Bill is also the U.S. Tennis Association?s (U.S.T.A.) Leagues Coordinator for the State of Virginia.
Bill clearly loves his job. ?What can be more fulfilling than to have learned something that makes you happy and have the opportunity to share it with other people and universally make them happy as well? I think I get as much out of it as they do.?
Tennis is often called a lifetime sport. No matter what your age or skill level, you don?t have to look far to find someone to play with. Tennis provides a great cardio workout, while enhancing your balance and focus. Finally, tennis is affordable! In the Roanoke Valley, we?re blessed with plenty of public courts, so there are always places to play.
Tennis also has a social component that many sports don?t have. ?You get involved in the community,? says Bill. ?You meet hundreds of new people and get together at a venue where you?re all having fun.?
The U.S.T.A. has recently introduced several new forms of play aimed at getting young people involved in tennis. Launched just a few years ago, Quick Start Tennis uses larger balls and lower nets to keep younger kids from getting intimidated by full size equipment.
?If you?re four feet high, it?s pretty intimidating to hit a ball over a net that?s 36 inches in the middle,? says Bill. If you start on a smaller court with a lower net, kids get pretty good. The most important thing is kids get confident and feel good about themselves.?
Parks and Recreation sponsored clinics are one of the best places to learn the sport, because you get to learn from certified instructors at a fairly low cost to the student. Certification is important because it provides a framework for teaching that has a proven track record.
According to Bill, ?My goal is to teach you enough so you can feel good about yourself, and want to go out there and have more fun. Try it and see if you like it! The next thing you know you?ve met 200 people you don?t know before. It?s a great social and athletic endeavor.?
Once you?ve learned the basics, the U.S.T.A offers a wide variety of divisions separated by age and skill level. Whether you?re 9 years old or 90, there?s a place for you to play.
Mick Merlin believes that he?ll be playing tennis for many years to come. ?It?s a lifelong sport, whether you?re a youngster or a senior citizen. Tennis is a whole lot of fun, competitive, good for your health and not expensive. It just kinda makes sense??
- Submitted by Roanoke County Parks & Recreation
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