Vineyard Youth Tennis Holds First Ever Adult Event

Not for kids only. Adults had the chance to play on the Youth Tennis clay courts, while kids served as ball boys/girls.

Former NCAA Champion Brian Hunter defeated Youth Tennis pro Michael Halisky in the opening night demo.

IFP and Youth Tennis parents donated food that was prepared by Tea Lane Caterers for the reception and silent auction on Friday night.

A crowd gathered under the bubble to watch the games.

Set back in the State Forest - just past the blinking light on Airport Road, a futuristic looking bubble indicates the presence of one of the Vineyard's greatest resources for island kids. Vineyard Youth Tennis provides year-round facilities and lessons for any interested local child from the age of four to eighteen, completely free of charge.

The program is funded 100% by private donations, covering capital and operating expenses and, until last weekend, the ten year old charitable organization had never held a fundraiser. However, Youth Tennis organizers decided that they wanted to establish a scholarship fund, and so initiated a series of adult round-robin fundraisers to help send talented kids to a tennis camp in Florida.

Says Executive Director Scott Smith, "Here we can provide up to two
hours of lessons a week. At camp they'll be playing six hours a day."
Smith, who is enthusiastic about some of the talent he encounters, says
the organization hopes to send two to three kids a year to the camp.

Over 80 people participated in the first adult round robin that kicked off with a reception and a demonstration by two tennis stars, and raised over $6000 over a weekend filled with singles and doubles competitions for adults.

Although Youth Tennis' clay courts and indoor play bubble are reserved for kids only, they will allow adults the opportunity to play at their much coveted facilities three times each year, as they host periodic round-robin fundraisers. The next event is scheduled for June 6-8. There's still time to firm up your backhand. Visit the website for more info about Vineyard Youth Tennis.