'Try Tennis for Free' Offers New and Returning Players Opportunity to Get into Tennis In September

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