Net Generation’s mission is to spread the love of tennis to a new generation by empowering those that teach them. Charlotte Miller is the local Net Generation school and community provider and through Miller and several Owensboro Daviess County Tennis Association volunteers, basic tennis skills are being taught.
All public and private schools in the Daviess County have access to the Tennis in the Schools program and during the spring season, volunteers in the program work with designated classes at the schools for a week.
“We will schedule as may schools as possible until the end of the school year,” Miller said.
Net Generation volunteer Winnie Foster said that she hopes that the students she works within the schools want to continue to learn more about tennis and sign up for programs offered through Net Generation.
“During the summer months, we are devoted to helping youth learn to play tennis,” Miller said. “We hope that by going into the schools and introducing tennis to the students, they will want to join us for Tennis in the Parks.”
This is the second year of the Tennis in the Schools program. Last year, third-graders in four elementary schools learned about grip, balance, forehand and backhand strokes and serves. The program received two grants from USTA to help with the equipment.
“This year we have 11 schools scheduled along with the Neblett Center and Chautauqua Center,” Miller said.
Miller believes that schools are the best way to reach students at a young age and Sorgho physical education teacher Carla Clayton agrees.
“Most feel like they can do it, it’s all-inclusive,” Clayton said. “They enjoy playing with friends and having a partner.”
Clayton watched as her fifth-grade students worked on hand-eye coordination by bouncing the ball on their racquet strings. Miller moved them quickly through the exercises, keeping the pace going.
“I like hitting the ball and getting better,” fifth-grader Amarrow Talbott said.
Fifth-grader Kirri Mattingly said she was involved with the program already and enjoys playing with her friends. She said she hopes to learn more when she joins this program again this summer.
“I get a lot of ‘thank-yous’ for providing the service,” Miller said.
The summer program is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 4 through August 1 and Owensboro Tennis Complex (in front of Centre Court) from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
To find out more about the program, volunteer or to bring the program to a school or organization, contact Charlotte Miller at [email protected].
