VCU’s Lobs & Lessons Holds Second Annual Family Open Tennis Tournament

By Mike Porter and Rachel Rhoney

Virginia Commonwealth University’s  Lobs & Lessons program will hold a tennis tournament to encourage families to learn and play tennis together. 

The second annual Lobs & Lessons Family Open will take place on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St., Richmond. In the event of rain, the tournament will be held during the same time on Sunday, Sept. 23. Visit www.vcuyouthcenter.org  to register for the tournament.

The event marks an ongoing partnership between Lobs & Lessons and the Richmond Tennis Association to develop “10 & Under Tennis,” which employs the QuickStart Tennis (QST) teaching format, using smaller courts and equipment to introduce younger players to the game. All participants will play on 36-foot QST courts, using 23-inch racquets and foam balls.

The tournament also promotes “QuickStart Tennis for Everyone,” giving families the opportunity to play side by side and encourage the reluctant player, whether it is an adult or child.

The Lobs & Lessons Family Open promotes healthy lifestyles and demonstrates that tennis is fun at any age, while providing a low-cost tournament opportunity for the greater Richmond area.

Adult-child doubles teams will play six 12-minute matches, using a round robin, non-elimination format. Doubles teams will have two registration options, one of which is a low-cost entry fee. A second option, “Team Challenge,” will encourage participants to raise money to support Lobs & Lessons.

Partners for this year’s tournament are the VCU Foundation; Richmond Tennis Association; Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen; USTA/Virginia Tennis; Wythken Printing; Wilson; Q94 Radio; Shurtape; Escape Creative; Epic 360; Sweet Frog; and Children’s Museum of Richmond.

For more information, call (804) 828-9276.