Non-Profit Spotlight
Sponsored by RecTennis
“It’s that first time a child gets the ball over the net a few times and rallies with their friend. There’s a certain magic in that rally. Both kids are sharing a defining moment in their friendship that impacts them on and off the court,” says Mary Jo Kallgren, regional manager of RecTennis Northern Oregon. “That’s the fun of tennis.”
Mary Jo ought to know. She’s lived and breathed tennis since childhood. Growing up in Longview, Washington, in the 1970s, there were no indoor tennis courts in her town, so she first learned to play tennis in the local elementary school gym. The first time she and her sister got a rally going, she was hooked.
RecTennis is a program developed by and for the United States Tennis Association, Pacific Northwest section (USTA PNW). As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, its mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis in the Pacific Northwest. USTA PNW partners with local parks and schools to provide convenient and affordable recreational tennis programs and provides scholarships for those in need.
“Tennis is for everyone,” says Mary Jo. “It’s something fun to do with friends and family, gets kids away from their screens and out in the community, and teaches lifelong skills to use on and off the court.”
Mary Jo started playing tennis during the summer months with her friends and family. It quickly became a year-round passion, and she eventually competed on a national level at the University of Arizona on a tennis scholarship. It was her love of tennis that brought her back to the game and RecTennis.
“Tennis is a lifelong sport, and it provides great foundational skills for other sports and life in general,” says Mary Jo. “There are obvious physical benefits to the game of tennis, like eye-hand coordination and endurance training, along with the lifelong benefit of learning to communicate well with others.”
As regional manager, Mary Jo oversees every detail for all 10 of the summer programs provided by RecTennis in Northern Oregon. This includes nurturing relationships with parks and recreation departments and local school districts as well as overseeing all program logistics. One of her favorite parts of the job is hiring and training RecTennis coaches. With every hire, she makes certain that the coach has a passion for tennis that they’ll carry forward with fun and inclusive instruction.
“RecTennis provides a safe and affordable space for kids and adults of all abilities to learn to play tennis and master skills at their own pace,” says Mary Jo. “We make tennis accessible. Anyone with the will or desire to play tennis will play tennis.”
Mary Jo grew up playing tennis with friends and and family and making friends on the court. When she became a mom, she introduced tennis to her three kids starting from a young age. It remains an activity that all of her kids, now ranging in age from 18 to 23, continue to play together to this day.
“Tennis is so much more than a game. It’s an activity that brings families together, and it allows individuals to thrive,” says Mary Jo. “It’s a sport where everyone can belong, on the court and as part of a community.”
About RecTennis and Programs Near You
USTA PNW launched RecTennis in 2013. It was created in collaboration with local parks and recreation districts and schools to bring affordable, fun, year-round tennis to families, children, teens, and adults. Participants are provided with equipment to use during camps and instruction, right-sized for age, size and ability. Different racquet sizes and ball colors are used for different age and skill levels to ensure that each player develops at his or her strongest point. Participants just need to wear comfortable athletic shoes and clothing.
Summer Tennis Camps
This summer, like every summer for the past seven years, RecTennis is offering week-long summer camps starting as low as $42 per week for kids aged 5-12. Camps range from 90 minutes to 8 hours per day, for 5 consecutive days. Early bird registration is available at this link —use the code EARLY15 at checkout to get 15% off.
Friends + Family Tennis
Friends + Family tennis is a popular summer RecTennis program that takes place at Gabriel Park in Southwest Portland and at Grant Park in Northeast Portland. A perfect way to meet and get to know neighbors, Friends + Family is a weekly all-ages (6+) tennis clinic held weekly, from June 9 through August 25, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A fee of $25 per session admits a group of four. Participants can sign up for one or all of the sessions at this link.
Tennis Afterschool Zone (TAZ)
Throughout the school year, RecTennis works with local elementary and middle schools to provide Tennis Afterschool Zone (TAZ). Starting at $8 per session, kids learn to rally and score through fun games and activities, and they learn life skills like teamwork and sportsmanship. TAZ sessions are after school and typically held in school gymnasiums and offered as 8-week programs. Spring programs are still available at this link.
Next Level
Kids and teens who have learned tennis basics can take their game to Next Level, where RecTennis serves up an introduction to match play. Provided in cooperation with parks and recreation departments and local school districts, Next Level provides one instructor for every five players. Sessions are $15 apiece, with each lasting up to two hours. Learn more here.
HIIT
High Intensity Tennis (HIIT) is the perfect opportunity for adults 18 and older who are seeking a 1-hour workout and the option to rally in a low-pressure setting. This summer program is frequently offered at the same venues as RecTennis summer camps for kids, making for an ideal single stop for the whole family. Cost is $10 per single session. Sign up here.
Rally + Eats
This summer, USTA PNW will host two free Rally + Eats events in Portland to highlight summer RecTennis programs—at Grant Park in Northeast Portland and at Gabriel Park in Southwest Portland. Designed with families in mind, Rally + Eats is all about getting people on the court to rally and play. No prior tennis experience is necessary, and as with all RecTennis programs, all equipment will be available to use for free. To round out the fun, food and beverage vendors will be on site, along with local entertainment. Check the RecTennis website at rectennis.com/contact-us for updates on dates and times, and sign up for the newsletter at this link.
About USTA PNW
Established in 1904, the United States Tennis Association Pacific Northwest (USTA PNW) is a 501c3 non-profit organization and one of 17 sections of the United States Tennis Association, the national governing body of the sport of tennis. Based in Beaverton, Oregon, USTA PNW’s mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis in the Pacific Northwest by providing access to tennis for all. For more information, visit ustapnw.org.!
