Maryland Community Newspapers Online
The Greenbelt Tennis Association put the funds from its successful fall children's clinic to use by joining forces this spring with the Prince George's Tennis and Education Foundation to host a youth clinic.
GTA was honored by the Greenbelt Consumer Cooperative with the Jim Cassels Community Service Award, a $1,000 gift given for GTA's significant contributions given to the Greenbelt community.
GTA steering committee member Cam MacQueen bumped into Prince George's Tennis and Education Foundation Director Nick Askew while playing tennis at Watkins Regional Park and decided the funds would best be used for a partnership between the two groups.
"It's fabulous," MacQueen said. "I think the kids are having a wonderful time as the kids are getting introduced to the sport. It's been a great opportunity for them. I'm particularly pleased to be partnering with the PGTEF as they bring a whole new level of instruction."
The clinic began April 23 and has was held Thursday evenings. The program started with 40 children and approximately 35 have made all of the scheduled meetings. PGTEF's Shawn Cummings has been the lead instructor.
The PGTEF, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1993 to develop "academic, athletic, and a life skills through programs that foster self-esteem and academic achievement," according to the organization's Web site.
"I think it's really just kind of a synergistic relationship," Askew said. "GTA had a need for quality coaches and equipment and we definitely were able to supply that."
MacQueen said she was uncertain whether the two groups would continue their partnership in the future, adding that she has been searching for donors.
"There's absolutely no question that there's a commitment between the two entities to continue the partnership," Askew said. "Unfortunately, there is a cost associated, but we charge the bare minimum for instruction. We would like to do something more ongoing than just a one-time thing. Being able to work with the kids on a long-term basis is more beneficial."
The program has been assisted by members of the Eleanor Roosevelt High School tennis team as well as members of the PGTEF's elite High Performance Team.
"This has been such a treat for me to see these [youth volunteers] interacting with the Greenbelt kids, who are beginners," MacQueen said. "To have that kind of exposure and for our kids to see what [youth players] can do at this level is wonderful."
For information on future programs, visit www.greenbelt.com/tennis or www.pgtef.org.
Youth league/team notices
The Springhill Lake Recreation Center in Greenbelt will hold the Biddy Basketball League for ages 6-9 from July 11 through Aug. 15. Players must be born after Sept. 1, 2002. Practices are held on weekdays with games from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Registration is $50 for Greenbelt residents, $62.50 for non-residents. Call Brian Butler at 301-397-2212.
The Port Towns Boys and Girls Club is holding registration for the fall football and cheerleading seasons and is seeking volunteer coaches for both sports. Practices are being held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Call Vince Jenkins at 301-408-9158 or Chrystal Myers at 240-898-8501.