Dear STPC Members,
Unfortunately, it remains unclear when the COVID-19 outbreak will be under control. The Board continues to meet virtually (via Zoom) each month to determine next steps. Our goal is to offer tennis opportunities that follow the State and local guidelines, with the safety of our members the primary concern.
Summer Programs
As detailed in the June eUpdate, STPC is offering five
summer drills, as well as
the new singles and 2-player doubles leagues launched this week of June 29. The new leagues were formed from those who expressed interest in them via the surveys sent to all members on May 28 and June 5. There is a total 47 players across the 5 leagues several of them playing in more than one league.
The match schedules for the new leagues have been published and play has begun, but as the summer progresses there may be a need for some substitute players. If interested in subbing, contact
Men's Doubles: Mike Woolsey, 952 937-2546
Mixed Doubles: Mike Woolsey
Women's Dbls: Nancy Tarbox, 952-927-9368
Men's Singles: Mike Dalton, 763-234-1690
Women's Singles: Sheila Bjore, 763-476-9149
Health Concerns
How safe is it to play singles or doubles tennis outside in the COVID-19 crisis? Clyde Carpenter, STPC member, provided a link to “
From hair salons to gyms, experts rank 36 activities by coronavirus risk level”. The article concluded that
"While some sports activities cause concern for health experts, tennis is not one of them."
That is good news for our summer STPC programs but how does that translate to the upcoming fall/winter season? At this time, the indoor venues STPC uses for group play have only recently opened to adult programs and with limited enrollment. The Board is in touch with all group play venues and will communicate with captains and members as we gain understanding of whether indoor group play will begin in September. The Board apologizes for the uncertainty but this is unlike anything that STPC has needed to deal with before.
Of course, beyond the COVID-19 risk, summer brings heat stress, thunderstorms, and lightning. All group captains received the guidelines that were developed by
USTA. Please review the guidelines as often you may wonder if you should cancel or play given the temperature or forecast. Everyone’s safety is STPC’s goal.
Community Focus
Protests throughout the world underlined the tragedy of George Floyd’s death. Following the lead of of
Inner City Tennis (ICT), our long-time partner in providing tennis-playing opportunity, STPC recently contributed $1,000 to ICT’s
Community Outreach Fund. This fund helps purchase food, books and supplies to assist the youth outreach participants and their families, and there was an immediate need. If you are interested in supporting community rebuilding efforts, working for racial justice, or assisting with local hunger relief, there is a list of ideas on the
STPC website.
Also, many STPC members currently volunteer at ICT in its
Super Saturday programs, which provide no-cost tennis experience and instruction for children from ages 3 to 17. Individual and group opportunities are available. Consider
volunteering your time and talent!
Have a Happy 4
th of July!
