by Keith Newerla

As Athletic Director for Variety-The Children’s Charity of Philadelphia, I have first hand knowledge of how sports can change ones life. Partnering with USTA Middle States and Frog Hollow Racquet Club give the children that we serve with special needs an opportunity unique to any other in our program.

Over the past year, I have seen children who originally had no interest in participating in tennis become engaged in the activity. Our children with developmental disabilities are retaining more of what they learned as time passes. I have also seen children with physical disabilities increase their range of motion and improve their hand eye coordination by playing.

Our goal is to teach the child that they can accomplish things if they put their mind to it. For our children, tennis breaks down barriers and improves self-esteem. So to answer the question, it is not what tennis means to our program, but more importantly what tennis means to our kids and how it has improved their lives.

(Note: the Variety Club, Middle States and Frog Hollow have teamed-up to hold at Tennis Block Party on May 5. The event featured a wheelchair tennis demonstration conducted by Dan James.)