Inspiring lives on and off the court.
What's all the racquet?

Greater Pottstown Tennis & Learning (GPTL) was among an exclusive group of National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) chapters selected by the USTA Foundation's Capacity Building program to receive financial and technical support in order to expand our programs and impact more kids.

 

USTA Capacity Building Program Learn more

 
Community

Spotlight: Emily participates in our free adaptive clinics and competed in the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Tournament hosted by GTPL at the Hill School.  Her favorite subject in school is art.  Emily likes to play tennis because it is fun and challenging.  Her favorite pro players are Venus and Serena Williams.

The game of tennis can be adapted to accommodate any age, environment, condition or disability.  Greater Pottstown Tennis & Learning runs free clinics for all adaptive players and free programs for Pottstown School District students in preschool through high school.    Learn More
Juniors

The Pottstown Tennis Classic Fundraising Tournament held an unsanctioned junior singles tournament in conjunction with the sanctioned event.  Eighteen junior players competed in three divisions: 18U, 12U and 10U.  Thank you to all players who participated in the tournament and congratulations to the medal winners.

 

 



18U Medal Winners (l to r):

Julia (2nd place) &

Erica (1st place) 

12U Medal Winners (l to r): Henry (2nd place) &

Dave (1st place) 

10U Medal Winners (l to r):

Dave (1st place) &

Chase (2nd place)

Not shown: Mia (3rd place) 

& Anders (4th place)

 
Adults

The 14th Annual Pottstown Tennis Classic Fundraising Tournament was June 24-26th.  Tournament proceeds benefit low-cost programs for Pottstown youth in tennis, education, health and fitness.  Players competed in sanctioned men's open singles & doubles and unsanctioned mixed doubles.


Tournament Website Read more

 

Thank you to all of our tournament sponsors with special thanks to the Hill School and BB&T!

 


 

 
Coach Chris' Coaching Corner
by Chris Herdelin, Head Pro

I mentioned in earlier posts that bending your knees on ALL strokes is sound mechanics because you create force from the ground, which helps you explode up and into the ball. Two other important reasons for bending your knees are to help get under lower balls that are below the height of the net and to create an explosive first step toward the ball as you stand in the ready position. But how low should you be? The rule of thumb for most sports including tennis is to have an athletic stance, which means that your height in the ready position should be a foot shorter than your actual height. I am 6'3" so my athletic height as I stand in the ready position should be a foot shorter or 5'3". It sounds simple, but it is much harder in practice to stand a foot lower than your actual height. However, there are some extremely beneficial reasons for doing so as I mentioned above. Keep in mind that this athletic stance should be used at all times throughout the duration of a tennis match or practice.

Upcoming Events


August 30 - US Open Bus Trip - Trip is sold out.  To get on the waiting list, email [email protected] .

 

Fall Clinics - Registration opens soon

 

Fall Leagues - Registration opens next month 
How You Can Help

To become a Board Member or Volunteer, email [email protected] .

 

You generous donation can help Greater Pottstown Tennis & Learning provide programs for the area's youth to engage in healthy activities all year long. 





 
Greater Pottstown Tennis & Learning
July 2016
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