Rock & Rally clinics coming to Hawai'i in May
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
In 2002, USA Tennis suddenly rocks.
The "Free For All" program that has helped introduce players to the game since 1998 has morphed into "USA Tennis Rock & Rally" this year. The "May Festival of Tennis and Music" will appear locally at a minimum of five sites.
Rock & Rally is part of Plan for Growth II, a collaborative effort by the U.S. Tennis Association, Tennis Industry Association and National Recreation and Parks Association to develop the game.
May is USA Tennis Month and kicks off the year's push to recruit new players, encourage more play and retain players, with a concentration on recruiting adults and families. Other goals include supporting Community Tennis Associations and tracking program results and participation trends.
Hawai'i's free Rock & Rally clinics are open to anyone 6 and older. The first hour is devoted to juniors, with the focus on adults the final 1-2 hours.
Equipment is provided. Kids ages 8-12 are eligible to qualify for an invitation to Arthur Ashe Kid's Day at the U.S. Open.
A USA Tennis Programs booth will be on site with information on introductory group lessons, youth programs, USA Team Tennis, leagues, tournaments and membership.
The Hawai'i Rock & Rally schedule:
• May 3—6-9 p.m. Pearlridge Community Park;
• May 10—6-9 p.m. Ala Moana Park;
• May 11—9 a.m.-noon Asing Community Park (Kapolei);
• May 17—6-8 p.m. Mauna Lani Racquet Club (Big Island);
• May 27—1-4 p.m. Kilauea District Park.
The schedule could expand to include other islands. For more information, call the local section (955-6696).
In other Plan for Growth news, Hawi on the Big Island is one of 101 communities to receive USTA funding for its USA Tennis Program.
The funding can be used for local 1-2-3 and USA Team Tennis programs.
The funding is part of the USTA's Plan for Growth, a $50 million, five-year initiative launched in 1998.
Three and a half years into the initiative, the Plan for Growth surpassed its goal of 800,000 new players.
It celebrated a milestone of 1 million new participants the end of last year, increasing the total number of players to nearly 20 million.
Of the new or returning players, approximately 75 percent are under the age of 18.
The USTA has affirmed its extended commitment for Plan for Growth II through 2005.
SHORT LOBS: Brent Mukai, executive director of the USTA/Hawai'i Section, resigned March 1. Mukai had been in charge of the section since 2000. The position is now open and being advertised. ... Brendan Curry and Allan Otvos are the new assistant pros at The Orchid at Mauna Lani's 10-court Tennis Pavilion. Otvos previously owned and operated Watergate Sports, Ltd., next to the Bay Bridge in Emeryville, Calif. He was named head pro at Keauhou Beach Hotel in 1987 and has been president of the U.S. Tennis Association's West Hawai'i section. Curry has been playing on the professional circuit the past 12 years. He was born in South Africa.
