City of Grand Rapids issued the following announcement on Feb. 18.
The City of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) are playing doubles on a new strategy to use tennis instruction to promote children’s physical activity and develop social emotional skills. Grand Rapids joins Los Angeles and Orlando, Fla., in being selected by National League of Cities (NLC) and United States Tennis Association (USTA) to run their pilot partnership initiative. Each city will incorporate quality tennis instruction based on USTA’s Net Generation curriculum and coaching support.
Grand Rapids plans to offer tennis instruction during local afterschool programs to ensure children and youth from underserved communities have access to the sport. USTA instructors will visit Grand Rapids on March 6 to teach the basics of the sport to afterschool providers and GRPS teachers. The training is sponsored by the Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) Network – a collaboration of organizations working to ensure quality afterschool programs for youth.
The pilot initiative also includes up to $100,000 to renovate GRPS high school tennis courts.
“This is an ace for our community and it’s another way for our kids to thrive outside,” Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said. “Thanks to our dedicated parks millage, Grand Rapids has quality, renovated tennis courts throughout our city. We want to encourage kids to take advantage of these refreshed amenities, play outdoors, exercise and enjoy this fun competitive sport.”
The ELO Network, managed by Our Community’s Children – a joint office of the City and GRPS – has more than 20 providers who serve thousands of children after school each day. Children who are involved in GRPS’ LOOP program, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club and other programs will have access to the tennis initiative resources.
“We are proud to once again partner with the City of Grand Rapids and Our Community’s Children on offering this afterschool recreational opportunity,” said John Helmholdt, GRPS’ executive director of communications and external affairs. “We’re excited to introduce the game of tennis to our students and show each how this sport can improve critical thinking, mental alertness and tactical thinking.”
With generous support from the USTA, NLC’s Institute for Youth, Education and Families will work closely with Our Community’s Children to implement at least two six-week sessions of tennis instruction over the next six months in local afterschool or summer programs. All participating programs will receive free state-of-the-art tennis equipment and provider training.
“Our goal is to provide exposure and access to tennis for as many K-12 students as possible to keep them healthy and learn new lifelong skills,” said Lynn D. Heemstra, executive director of Our Community’s Children. “We hope to introduce this great sport to a new generation and, hopefully, inspire the next generation of tennis players. The pilot will allow us to increase capacity to serve more children and youth and establish a new partnership that will extend beyond the life of this initiative.”
The initiative is aligned with the City’s strategic priority of ensuring equitable access to and use of green spaces and increase recreational activities. The priority includes a focus on increasing the number of children connected to nature through expanded recreational and youth employment opportunities and increased access to natural areas.
“This partnership with USTA allows NLC to combine our resources to provide children of all backgrounds the opportunity to learn a new sport while building the life skills that will benefit them for the future.” NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony said. “We are excited to see what our pilot cities can achieve and look forward to expanding this partnership with USTA.”
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Grand Rapids
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