HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C., Sept. 9, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Throughout September, new and returning tennis players will have the opportunity to hit the courts for free during the industry-supported "Try Tennis for Free" campaign. The effort, managed by the Tennis Industry Association (TIA), is being driven through the PlayTennis.com website, where consumers can quickly and easily find participating facilities and tennis coaches.
Try Tennis for Free is also helping promote and support the USTA's efforts to bring new players to the game this month with its Free Tennis Play Events in conjunction with Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play (visit YouthTennis.com for details). Free Tennis Play Events are also searchable on PlayTennis.com as a part of the Try Tennis for Free campaign.
TIA research shows that more than 65% of players who begin tennis in an introductory program continue on with the sport and with follow-up programs. "Try Tennis for Free is geared toward bringing new players into the game and helping build a larger pool from which to create frequent tennis players, who are key contributors to the tennis economy," says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. "In addition, it exposes more people to all the health, fitness and social benefits of tennis."
In addition to the TIA, Try Tennis for Free also is a joint effort with this country's two main professional tennis-teaching organizations—the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) and the U.S. Professional Tennis Association (USPTA).
"We saw positive results with the inaugural launch of Try Tennis for Free this past May, with participating facilities and coaches seeing on average 30 new and returning players participating in Try Tennis for Free programs," de Boer says. "As a result, we re-launched the campaign during the US Open, when consumer interest in the sport is at its peak in the U.S."
Industry providers, including facilities and tennis coaches, are encouraged to participate in Try Tennis for Free by visiting PlayTennis.com and signing up as a participating location and/or coach. The free session offered is up to the participating facility or organizer and can include formats such as free lessons, group clinics, Play Days, Cardio Tennis, and more.
Providers will also have the opportunity to easily add their Try Tennis for Free programming to the PlayTennis.com site for free, which will then be searchable by potential consumers. The TIA also offers free, customizable promotional material on PlayTennis.com that providers can use to promote Try Tennis for Free in their local communities.
"If you go to PlayTennis.com and don't see a participating Try Tennis for Free venue in your area, contact your local facility or teaching pro and tell them you're interested in playing, and inquire about a free or introductory session or program," de Boer adds.
To Try Tennis for Free this September, visit PlayTennis.com and follow the on-screen instructions.
About the TIA
The Tennis Industry Association, the not-for-profit trade association for tennis, is THE unifying force in the tennis industry whose mission is to promote the growth and economic vitality of tennis by working closely with the U.S. Tennis Association and industry partners to develop and implement initiatives to increase tennis participation and improve the health of industry businesses. Core TIA activities include producing more than 70 research reports annually on participation and consumer/trade research, in addition to Grow the Game Initiatives such as PlayTennis.com, 10 and Under Tennis, the GrowingTennis System™, Tennis Welcome Centers, Cardio Tennis, Careers in Tennis and Tennis Tune-Up Campaign. Visit TennisIndustry.org or call 866-686-3036.
TIA Board of Directors
adidas: David Malinowski
America Sports Builders Assoc.: Fred Stringfellow
ATP World Tour: Linda Clark
Babolat: Eric Babolat
Dunlop Sports Group: Kai Nitsche
ESPN: Jason Bernstein
HEAD Penn Racquet Sports: Greg Mason (TIA President)
IHRSA: Meredith Poppler
International Management Group: Kevin Callanan
International Tennis Federation: Dave Miley
International Tennis Hall of Fame: Todd Martin
Mylan World TeamTennis: Ilana Kloss
Prince Sports: Mike Ballardie
Professional Tennis Registry: Dan Santorum
Sports & Fitness Industry Association: Tom Cove
Tennis Channel: David Egdes
Tennis Magazine: Jeff Williams
U.S. Professional Tennis Association: John Embree
U.S. Racquet Stringers Association: David Bone
U.S. Tennis Association: Kurt Kamperman
Wilson Sporting Goods: Cory Springer
WTA Tennis: Stacey Allaster
'Try Tennis for Free' Offers New and Returning Players Opportunity to Get into Tennis In September
Hundreds of facilities and tennis coaches across the country to offer free programs for all ages and abilities of players.
| Source: Tennis Industry Association