Column: NFL blues brightened by tennis ball

• District 518

District 518

Talk about it

WORTHINGTON — Yes folks, it’s 99 percent true. Doctors confirm that playing tennis may cure your NFL blues. Citizens of Worthington may be looking for other activities to satisfy their sports craving. We’ve got the answer for you — tennis! Construction and reconditioning of tennis courts will begin in mid- to late June and be completed by early to mid-August.

The school district, city of Worthington, United States Tennis Association (USTA) and private sources have made an investment in building and reconditioning tennis courts in town. Eight new courts will be built at the middle school and four other courts will be reconditioned: two courts at Pleasant Avenue and two courts across from the old West Elementary building. This investment will build stronger families and a better community.

Our investors’ commitment benefits the entire community by reinforcing how important family activities are for our community. In addition to promoting outdoor physical activity, this facility will start and maintain lifelong fitness activity, increase the visual number of people exercising in the community and provide a vested interest in various fitness activities to fit the needs of the community.

Tennis is a fun, family oriented fitness activity that can be played as early as 6 years old and continue for as long as a person is able. The game of tennis ties together family time, physical activity, competition and low-cost entertainment. The cost of a family of five to take up the game of tennis is less than buying an X-box, or Playstation, or Wii console gaming system. The best part of playing tennis is you never have to buy batteries … ever!

The USTA has developed a new program to make tennis successful at an early age called Quick Start Tennis. It is an exciting play format for learning tennis and designed to bring kids into the game by utilizing specialized equipment, shorter court dimensions and modified scoring, tailored to age and size. It is divided into two levels — ages 8 and under and ages 10 and under. This program also works for older players at any ability level.

Through our new tennis facility, the Quick Start Tennis program will be incorporated in the Prairie Elementary and middle school physical education curriculums this fall. The summer of 2012 will bring lessons and tournaments for players and Quick Start players, young and old, beginner and advanced to increase their knowledge and abilities.

The greatest investment a community can make is in the families of those who live there. The new tennis facility provides another outstanding opportunity to build unity for its members. Now it’s up to the community to get out and take advantage of this opportunity.

Special thanks to ISD 518, the city of Worthington, USTA and private sources for their vision and commitment to this project. A debt of gratitude also goes to the Minnesota West campus and administration for its partnership with ISD 518 over the past 15years.

All joking aside, whether there is an NFL season or not, take some time with family and friends to try out the new tennis courts. Your investment of time with family is priceless. I will see you on the courts.

Mike Marquardt is a physical education teacher at Prairie Elementary and coach of Worthington High School’s boys’ and girls’ tennis teams.

Tags: district 518, opinion, columns, education, tennis, worthington