"Racket Rally" 
"Helping others learn the game of a lifetime..."

Over 250 rackets were a big hit!

The City of Charleston Department of Recreation teamed up with three public tennis facilities to sponsor a program designed to provide tennis equipment for citizens and for use in community centers throughout the City. The Charleston Tennis Center, Family Circle Tennis Center and Maybank Tennis Center led the “Racket Rally” initiative, which created an opportunity for the Charleston community to donate their old tennis equipment to provide the necessary tools to play the game to underprivileged youth from throughout the City.

From September 1st to October 31st, 279 tennis rackets were collected throughout the City of Charleston. Equipment collected was donated to the “Courting Kids” inner-city youth tennis program operating at the Moultrie Tennis Complex and the Alan P. Fleming Tennis Complex on Johns Island, as well as several groups in the Cainhoy region.

On Saturday, November 4th, City of Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. presented tennis rackets directly to youth from throughout the City who attended this day of fun at the Family Circle Tennis Center. The kids enjoyed an hour of tennis lessons, snacks, and refreshments after the presentation, then returned home with a brand new tennis racket, a new can of balls, and other items that made up a fun tennis gift bag.

Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. said “The City of Charleston is proud of the range of recreational facilities and opportunities for the residents of the city. But not everyone can afford the equipment to give some sports a try. The “Racket Rally” provides an opportunity for our citizens, and especially our young people, to enjoy the challenging sport of tennis by providing the sometimes expensive equipment needed to enjoy the sport. Tennis is a popular sport in this area and great new interest has been created by the Family Circle Cup. We hope to build on that interest by providing the equipment not all our residents can afford. The “Racket Rally” is a wonderful example of the generosity of the residents of the City of Charleston. Their donations will enable many of our residents who may have difficulty purchasing equipment, particularly our youth, to participate in the great sport of tennis.”

“As a public tennis facility, we are proud to support a program that grows the game of tennis at the grass roots level for everyone to enjoy,” commented Robin Reynolds – Family Circle Tennis Center Facility Director. “Tennis is an activity that the whole family can participate in together, and this program creates an opportunity for more people to play a sport that lasts a lifetime. The community support for this project has been outstanding, and this project will contribute so much to the game of tennis at the grass-roots level, and will provide rackets to those who need it most so they too can enjoy the game of tennis.”

"Courting Kids"
The “Courting Kids” inner-city youth tennis program is coordinated by Delores Jackson of the City of Charleston Department of Recreation, and operates throughout the year at the Moultrie Tennis Complex downtown, and the Alan P. Fleming Tennis Complex on Johns Island. This entry level children’s program is designed to provide inner-city youth with low-cost high-quality tennis instruction offered in three sessions annually.

Photos by Mike Saia

279 rackets were collected !	Paul Wieters - Director, Dept. of Recreation
Mayor Riley addresses children in attendence	Delores Jackson &  "Courting Kids" players
Mayor Riley distributes rackets to children	Mayor Riley picks out a new racket for a child
Mayor Riley teaches a child the proper way to size a grip and hold a tennis racket	Family Circle Tennis Center Pro Kyle Owens teaches a stroke on Althea Gibson Club Court
A child gets a tennis lesson at the event	"Courting Kids" participant enjoys the day
"Courting Kids" player strikes a forehand with power at the Nov. 4th event	"Courting Kids" player makes solid contact with a forehand at a tennis clinic