VCU news

By Mike Porter

VCU’s third annual Young Aces Open QuickStart tennis tournament brought 150 Richmond public school fourth and fifth graders to campus on April 4 for a day of tennis and teamwork.

The tournament took place at the Mary and Frances Youth Center and was organized by VCU’s Center for Sport Leadership and Lobs & Lessons, which was named the National Junior Tennis and Learning Chapter of the Year for 2011. 

The Young Aces Open is a partnership between VCU, the Richmond Tennis Association and Richmond public elementary schools to introduce students to QuickStart Tennis, which is team-centered and uses foam balls, smaller rackets and modified courts to boost a player’s confidence and to create a positive experience. 

The tournament allowed students to show off their tennis skills, practice good sportsmanship and become familiar with VCU.

Despite earlier concerns about stormy weather, the sky remained clear and the tournament went on as planned outside.

Each child played an equal number of games with no elimination. After the matches, children went through various tennis challenge and educational stations. The tournament concluded with an awards ceremony, with medals and trophies given to the top three schools.

The 2012 Young Aces Open was sponsored by the Richmond Tennis Association; Reynolds Development; Richmond Raiders; Martin’s Food Markets; USTA/VA Tennis; U-Turn Sports Performance Academy; AmeriCorps; Mitchell, Wiggins and Company; DICK’S Sporting Goods; Allen, Allen, Allen and Allen; Firebirds; Escape Creative; Smoothie King; NetPlay; LookGoodOnPaper; Lipkin, Marshall, Bohorad & Thronsburg Law Offices; Richmond Flying Squirrels; Children’s Hospital of Richmond; and VCU Parking and Transportation Services.