What is Project Tennis Backboard?

Project Tennis Backboard is a 501 c)(3) not for profit with the goal of getting tennis backboards into every public tennis facility, school and college in America and would provide another system for further introducing new players, both adults and young people, to tennis and, most importantly, keep them playing.

The initial United States Tennis Association (USTA) Play Tennis America Plan For Growth report developed by Judy Levering in 1997 outlined and endorsed a Play Tennis America Backboard concept that was to be part of the Plan For Growth initiative. Teachers were to be trained in how to instruct students on how to use walls and backboards for skill development, exercise and fun. Accessible hitting walls were to be positioned in communities nationwide. The idea was that this would provide new players with expanded learning opportunities as well as a handy practice format for all players. Unfortunately, this plan was never implemented.

With the current emphasis by the USTA on schools programs and no-cut high school tennis, there isn’t a better time to start this program.

The Tennis Industry Tennis Participation Survey confirms that most new players learn the game at public facilities and schools yet schools are woefully inadequate when it comes to having tennis facilities.

In addition, the survey clearly showed the need for participants not only have quick success but also an avenue to play when they don’t have a partner.

Backboards are the easiest and least expensive way for individuals to improve their game and to do so quickly. The cost to put walls at these facilities would be very minimal yet the return on exposure to potential tennis players would be tremendous. In addition, history has repeatedly shown that our top players are often backboard graduates.

Comments

[S. Williams]

Hoping to get some assistance and direction on building a backboard for the tennis courts at my neighborhood park. There are a lot of formal and informal students of the game using it, and no place to practice on one's own. If there is grant money available, I would like to apply. If there are instructions to build a backboard, I would like to get my hands on that, too. Thanks for any help.