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QUICKSTART IS THE PERFECT FIT FOR US - A Personal Story
I live in a subdivision that eats and breathes tennis. Adult tennis that is! We have grown from 1 team in 2003 to over 60 teams in 2008. Unfortunately, our pace has not moved as quickly for our youth leagues. As a community that supports and loves the game as we do, there was always the search for a perfect fit for our children. Our goal has been to instill a strong foundation of tennis, foster a love of the game and provide unlimited opportunities for growth.
Over the summer I began an online search for junior tennis opportunities. I found a link to the Quickstart Tennis (QST) program. I instantly fell in love with the concept and the structure. How perfect! Modify the courts and equipment and bring it down to the size of your smallest players. It was very easy to research online and I started by contacting USTA to schedule a demo of the program by a Quickstart trainer. Over the next few months, our tennis committee met to discuss how to implement QST here in Wheatfield's.
Leaning from those that have "been there done that" is always beneficial. Leslie Sanders and Mary Dillon of USTA Jr. Team Tennis have readily answered all my questions and supported us in getting this program up and running. I also met with Scott Laakso, of Roswell Parks and Recreation, Historic & Cultural Affairs Dept. It was great to have an opportunity to speak with someone that was successfully running the program I so desired to bring to my community.
We spread the word and then greatly surpassed our goal for an initial run of the program. We have proudly formed 8 teams out of our subdivision and surrounding community: four 8 and Under teams and four 10 and Under teams. We have approximately 46 youth involved. Many days it looks like controlled chaos, but oh what fun our children are having! Foremost is the plan for the children to have fun as they develop the fine and gross motor control to improve hand/eye coordination, movement on the court and so much more.
How have we done it?? Parent participation!! This could not be done without the weekly involvement of many beyond myself. If you ever came out to our courts on a Tuesday afternoon, you would see over 15 parents on the courts running the show: completing drills, playing games and overseeing matches. Just look at the smiling faces of our tennis players to know that QST is a perfect fit for us!
Together we are building a love of tennis that will last a life time!
Renee White
  
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The second annual thrill ride of tennis is back at the Gwinnett Center on Saturday, December 13, 2008. The Battle of the Brothers will unfold before cheering crowds when the world’s #1 doubles team, the Bryan Brothers, duke it out against Atlanta’s own former French Open champions, the Jensen Brothers! Following this dramatic showdown will be a match of epic proportions, featuring tennis star James Blake and America’s next hope, Sam Querrey. 
