Matt's point: The First Point

Welcome to my new blog!  I am excited and privileged to be able to provide an update on all of the amazing things IJP Tennis's program is providing for its players. 

The first week of November was truly monumental, as it marked the beginning of our very own junior development program.  For the past 4 years, we have been operating very successfully through other programs. We decided that it was time to create the program I've had in my mind for many years.  And this was Week 1 in that quest. 

We have already had a great turnout of young, aspiring tennis players.  Nothing is more satisfying than developing young athletes from the beginning of their tennis development--from Red Ball to Yellow Ball. 

Over the past 18 months, I've had the pleasure of working with so many kids wanting to make tennis a sport they can love and succeed at.  Most kids had no foundation of stroke development.  In a relatively short time frame, we now have three kids participating in the USTA development camps.  Many of our players have started to see success in match play and tournaments.  And most importantly, all the kids have a love for this great sport. 

The most rewarding part of the week was teaming up with ACEing Autism, a fantastic organization bringing tennis to the autism community.  I had the pleasure of working with a young boy who is on the autism spectrum, in a clinic conducted by ACEing Autism.  Coaching is not about always working with the best or most talented players; it's about modeling a love for the game, for all the students you work with.  If you build the love, the results will come. 

Feel free to drop me any questions or comments you have.  Thank you to all who are supporting our program.