Husa's Tennis Page |
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All in our family play some tennis, with all but Susan entering a tournament now and then. We live near a very nice outdoor court that is almost always available. Erik (age 14) is our most active player. He competes in perhaps 12-15 tournaments per year. |
Most junior (age 18 an under) tennis tournaments are organized by the United States Tennis Association. They host an array of events catering to a wide range of abilities.
This is where the joy of tennis begins. A novice player can learn what it is like to play in a tennis event, without having to run into an over-powering player. Rookie tournaments are there to encourage new players to participate, and get that first taste of success. As skills grow (and a player wins tournaments) they are moved up the Junior A level. Christina is starting at this level.
The bulk of young players will compete at this level. These players will often grow to compete on their high school teams.
Champs are where the best young players compete. All are seasoned tournament players, with skills honed by tennis professionals. Champs tournaments are held around the section, primarily through the summer.
A modest number of kids are taken to a common site where they compete as teams from their sections. In the 12 year-old age group, the Pacific Northwest section (WA, OR, BC, and AK) were allowed to send 15 boys and 15 girls.
We were pleased that Erik was invited to participate in events in Tucson, AZ in July 1996 amd again in 1997. Here are a few photos taken at the event.
A very few children can be selected by PNW seection to compete nationally (sometimes only 2 or 3). There are open national events which do not require sectional endorsement. Erik played in the Quicksilver-Roxy event in Thousand Oaks, CA in 1999.
The United States Tennis Association has just joined the web. This our home section.
I highly recommend this coach and his camp. Our son Erik participated July, 1996. The number of returning players to this camp is over 30%, suggesting to me a high degree of customer satisfaction. It is set on a beautiful college campus.
I would like to personally recommend the services of The Sports Mind, Anne Thomas, owner. Anne is a dynamic motivator, and does she knows sports! Ann holds an M.S. degree in Human Performance and Sports Studies. Anns couseling builds a team that includes the parents of a young athelete.
Anne offers motivational and growth strategies, especially to young atheletes. You can contact her for a brochure. She has a wide assortment of clients, including nationally ranked juniors and touring tennis professionals. OK, even aspiring locally ranked players such as my son!
Her strategies work for many sports, and life situations. Tennis, perhaps more than other sports, has a decidedly 'inner' dimension to it.
Contact The Sports Mind at POB 271421 Tampa, FL 33688Look for her web page, coming to the net soon! I'll report the address when it comes on-line.
Many tennis fans in the Northwest will be familiar with the Thomas family. Ann's brother, Tim is a tennis pro, teaching out of Richland, WA . He has coached winning teams at both the high school and college level. He is great with kids on the court, and has more inventive drills in his repetoir than anyone I know. Ann's brother Kevin surfaces tennis courts, among other things (and I am a satisfied customer). She has another sister who played tennis professionally for a while, but I've forgotten her name.
You may contact the Husa family at ivar@owt.com.
Updated 29JAN2000http://www.oneworld.owt.com/users/ivar/tennis.htm