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Missoula Tennis – Where to Play this Summer

Looking to play tennis this summer?  Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be compiling a guide of camps, clinics, and tournaments all across the state. First up is Missoula tennis. Look no further for fun, social tennis events for kids, parents, and fun for the whole family.

Missoula – For Kids

Missoula Parks & Rec offers multi-racquet camps so kids can learn not only tennis, but pickleball, badminton, and ping-pong.  The first Paddle & Racquet Camp is July 1-3 from 8-12:30pm at Fort Missoula Regional Park.

Looking for just tennis, let the pros at the Peak Racquet Club introduce your kids to this lifelong sport. Camps start June 17 from 10-11:30am.

The Hall of Fame Sports Academy combines tennis with more than a dozen other sports and allows families to come and go throughout the summer. The first camp is June 17-21 at Playfair Park.

Missoula – For Adults

player gets ready to serve during social tennis at playfair
serving up social tennis at playfair

For friendly, low-pressure tennis come out to Missoula Social Tennis on Thursday nights at Playfair Park at 5:45pm. The first hour consists of a clinic taught by USPTA certified pros, followed by organized matches. The format is social, fun and includes men and women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Includes drink deals at The Dram Shop!

The Peak Racquet Club also hosts men’s and women’s doubles nights during the summer followed by a BBQ. You don’t have to be a member of the club to participate.

Garden City Tennis Association’s No-Elim Tournaments are another good option if you’re looking for matches without the pressure. Guaranteed 4 matches and plenty of delicious food.

Are we forgetting something? Send a message to lolson.mta@gmail.com and we’d happily share your summer tennis program.

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Tennis is Elementary returns to Lewis & Clark Elementary School

Grades: K-3

Thursdays, May 2, May 9, May 16, and May 23 from 2-3pm

Contact: Lauren Olson, lolson.mta@gmail.com or 406.579.2716

REGISTER HERE

The Tennis is Elementary program provides young players the chance to learn basic fundamentals, teamwork, and sportsmanship from qualified tennis instructors. Using smaller racquets, nets, and court sizes, QuickStart tennis gives kids the opportunity to learn and start to play right away. This popular nationwide program teaches life skills, tennis and teamwork in a fun environment that allows your students to stay active while learning the fastest growing lifetime sport in the country.

Participants in the afterschool camp get (4) focused 1-hour lessons that meet once a week after school in the gym or multipurpose room. The cost is $28/participant, plus an online registration fee. There are a number of scholarships available per camp.

All equipment needed to run the camp is provided, and the coach to player ratio is usually about 8:1. The number of participants depends on the size of the gym. On average, our camps number 16 players.

Each session focuses on a specific shot taught in the QuickStart method. The sessions are broken down into an intro activity, fitness component, lesson focus, and games. The camp uses stations to ensure that kids are moving the whole time and are not standing in line.

All Instructors and Site Directors have attended a QuickStart Tennis training session and have submitted to a background check prior to starting work.

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First Annual Montana Awards

June 19, 2019

MISSOULA, MT– USTA Montana (Montana Tennis Association) is pleased to announce its 2019 Awards recipients for their dedication and commitment to growing the sport of tennis in their local communities. For the first time ever, winners will be honored at the First Annual Awards and League Player Party on Saturday, June 22 in Missoula, MT.

“We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the work they do. To be selected from a pool of such worthy nominees is an honor, and we look forward to recognizing all they’ve done to grow and develop tennis.  They truly exemplify what makes Montana tennis so unique and successful,” said USTA Montana Executive Director, Lauren Olson.

The dinner will take place during the League Tournament Player Party on Saturday, June 22 at 5pm at the Peak Racquet Club in Missoula.

The 2019 Award winners are listed below:

Organization of the Year: Billings Tennis Association, Billings

Volunteer of the Year: Steve Schwartz, Missoula

M.C. Beeby Lifetime Achievement: Eileen Pinkerton, Billings

Developmental Coach: Jan Steenekamp, Missoula

Senior Player: Len Wheeler, Helena

School Coach: Jim Gregg, Cut Bank

League Captain: Gordon Terpe, Missoula

League Captain: Debbie Oliver, Billings

 

 

Award Categories:

Service Awards:

M.C. Beeby Lifetime Achievement Award: This award is given from time to time for extraordinary lifetime service to tennis within the Montana District.

Volunteer of the Year Award: This award is given annually to an individual 18 & over who has contributed to the growth of tennis by demonstrating a passion for giving back to their tennis community through starting a new program and/or helping existing programs thrive.

Organization of the Year Award: This award is given annually to a USTA Organizational Member, including but not limited to CTAs, Parks & Rec Districts, schools, clubs, etc., that stands out in the community as a leader by supporting tennis programs.

Family of the Year Award: Recognizes a family’s significant contribution or accomplishments in tennis. Ideally, all members of the family represent the development & promotion of tennis on & off the court.

Sportsmanship Awards

Junior Girl and Junior Boy of the Year Award: This award is given annually to an individual 18 & under who exemplifies the spirit of tennis through their activities on and off the court. A spotless record of sportsmanship & accomplishments in the classroom are critical as well.

USTA League Captain Award: The recipient exemplifies outstanding leadership through his/her contributions as the captain of a league team & should have good communication skills, be knowledgeable of league rules, be respectful of others & promote fair play.

School Coach Award: Presented to a HS or MS coach who demonstrates achievement, enthusiasm, team camaraderie, a “Grow The Game” mindset & a community service orientation. Participation in the No Cut Coach program is a plus.

On-Court Achievements Awards

Developmental Coach of the Year Award: This award is given to recognize the outstanding efforts of a developmental coach in the USTA Montana District. This coach is being honored for his or her endless dedication to developing junior tennis players at all levels through teaching, presence at tournaments and events, and positive role modeling, on and off the court.

Teaching Professional Award: Honors an active instructor who demonstrates a significant contribution to tennis through promotion of USTA programs, community service & support of the USTA mission.

Adult Player of the Year: Recognition of an Adult player who participates in USTA Leagues or tournaments on a regular basis. Recipient demonstrates good sportsmanship, a love of the game, avid promotion of tennis & serves as a good example for all.

Senior Player of the Year: Recognition of a senior player who participates in USTA Leagues or tournaments on a regular basis. Recipient demonstrates good sportsmanship, a love of the game, avid promotion of tennis & serves as a good example for all.

 

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2019 USTA Montana League Regulations

Changes to USTA MT League Regulations for the 2019 Season are as follows:

In accordance with USTA Intermountain’s League Regulations, Montana has enacted a residency regulation for USTA league teams:

  • A “Montana team” is a team that maintains a minimum of 50% of its total number of registered players from Montana.
  • To be “from Montana,” a player must have resided in Montana for a minimum of 30 consecutive days over the past year.
  • Registration is open to non-Montana teams only for those divisions with two or fewer teams registered after the first registration deadline. See Registration Deadlines, Table 3.
  • 2019 USTA MT League Regulations
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Team Tournament Held at Canyons Athletic Club, Hamilton

The first team tournament of the year was held at the Canyons Athletic Club in Hamilton, MT. The Bitterroot Tennis Association organized this half day event in order for children to enjoy tennis competition in a low-pressure team environment.

About the program: It is a USTA pilot program designed to be delivered as a single event or a series of up to six events, with the objective of providing a fun and social environment that highlights character and skill development. Team Tournament can be played with orange, green, or yellow tennis balls.

The Team Tournament can be delivered by Net Generation registered providers as a fantastic way to continue fostering a lifelong love of the game with supporting appropriate play opportunities!

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Tennis is Elementary @ Heck-Quaw Elementary in Belgrade

Tennis is Elementary is returning to Heck-Quaw School!

Grades: K-4th

Camp: Mondays, 3/4, 3/11, 3/25, and 4/1 from 3:20-4:20pm

Where: Gym

Cost: $28 (plus an online processing fee) per camp. Free for students on free/reduced meal plan. Contact Lauren Olson for an application.

All equipment is provided; however, your child may bring his/her own racquet. (Montana Tennis is not responsible for any lost items).

REGISTER

**Sign up is limited to the first 16 participants.

The Montana Tennis is Elementary program provides young players the opportunity to learn basic fundamentals, teamwork, and sportsmanship from qualified tennis instructors. Using smaller racquets, nets, and court sizes, QuickStart tennis gives kids the chance to learn and start to play right away.

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Tennis is Elementary at Chief Charlo

Tennis is Elementary is returning to  Chief Charlo Elementary School!

Grades: K-5

When: Wednesdays, 11/14, 11/28, 12/5, and 12/12 from 3:30-4:30pm (no tennis 11/21)

Where: Gym

Cost: $28 plus an online processing fee.

Scholarships available. Contact Lauren Olson for an application at lolson.mta@gmail.com

All equipment is provided; however, your child may bring his/her own racquet. (Montana Tennis is not responsible for any lost items).

REGISTER HERE

**Sign up is limited to the first 16 participants per camp.

 The Montana Tennis is Elementary program provides young players the opportunity to learn basic fundamentals, teamwork, and sportsmanship from qualified tennis instructors. Using smaller racquets, nets, and court sizes, QuickStart tennis gives kids the chance to learn and start to play right away.