Something for everyone — you’ve heard that line before. But when you hear it from the Western Wake Tennis Association, it’s true.
Ask the McGrew family of Apex: Duncan and Nancy, and sons Grant, 18, and Owen, 16. They’ve been taking part in WWTA events for years.
This second annual event honors the late Middle Creek High School tennis coach and special education teacher, and benefits the Abilities Tennis Association of NC, atanc.org, which supports tennis opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities.
When: Saturday, Aug. 5, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Kildaire Farms Racquet & Swim Club and Farmington Woods Tennis Courts, Cary
More details: westernwaketennis.com/event/rhonda-blanchard-memorial-shootout-2017
“The Western Wake Tennis Association is very good about promoting league and tournament play, both for advanced and relatively new players,” said Duncan McGrew, whose sons began playing tennis at ages 7 and 5. “And there are great opportunities to give back. It’s amazing how many activities (the association) is supporting.
“Our family got more involved as Grant entered high school. (WWTA) looks for assistance with a number of programs; for our boys, it’s nice to find a way to combine their interests with community service.”
McGrew is right: From its Try Tennis program and innovative Find a Team guide, to the free Tennis for Life program serving breast cancer survivors, to adult tournaments and the Junior Team Tennis State Championships coming to Cary in July, the nonprofit WWTA serves up tennis for youth and adults of all skill levels, last year seeing 10,000 non-unique registrations.
Melanie Santana, right, practices her forehand in front of Abilities Tennis Clinic coach Daniel Ebert at Cary Tennis Park. The Western Wake Tennis Association finds volunteers such as Ebert to help teach tennis clinics.
Though it owns no courts, WWTA partners with five Western Wake towns and several private clubs on tennis programming. Beyond sport, WWTA uses tennis to connect our community by hosting and supporting fundraising tournaments benefiting the likes of Transitions LifeCare, raising more than $250,000 over the past 10 years; the Alzheimer’s Association; and Abilities Tennis Association of North Carolina.
“Tennis is such a social sport, and you can play from age 5 to 95,” said Laura Weygandt, executive director of WWTA. “Our board also sees tennis as a vehicle to do good things in the community. All of us at WWTA are very passionate about our mission.”
From the Western Wake Tennis Association
- Burns calories
- Improves flexibility and balance
- Increases bone density and strength
- Helps manage stress
- Builds problem-solving skills
- Develops teamwork and social skills
- Improves self-image
- Is a family sport
- For youth, less prone to risky behaviors
- Is a lifetime sport
Weygandt’s journey with WWTA began as a volunteer for such charity events, after she began playing tennis at age 41 just for fun.
In 2016, WWTA earned the prestigious Community Tennis Association of the Year award, selected from among more than 900 CTAs across the nation.
“We run U.S. Tennis Association leagues and tournaments as our source of revenue, and then we run or support others’ events with volunteers and promotion,” Weygandt explained. “We never say no when somebody has an idea for a tennis event to benefit the community.”
That was true for the McGrews, who approached Weygandt about launching an event to honor late Middle Creek High teacher and tennis coach Rhonda Blanchard.
“Laura encouraged us, and introduced us to Lou Welch, the executive director of Abilities Tennis of NC,” McGrew said. “We didn’t know that Rhonda had already been in touch with Lou to get her (special needs) students involved in Abilities Tennis. When we learned that, it really gave us the incentive.”
The inaugural Rhonda N. Blanchard Memorial Shootout netted more than $700, enough for Abilities Tennis to fund a full event. McGrew credits community support, including donations from the Cary MacGregor Rotary Club, for that success. This year’s shootout will take place on Aug. 5.
Western Wake Tennis Association volunteer Ava Autry, left, shares some tennis tips with Lisa Deprisco during an Abilities Clinic at Cary Tennis Park.
You can help
In addition to taking part in its leagues and tournaments, Weygandt says the public can help further the efforts of the WWTA by volunteering.
Jerry Passer plays tennis at Cary Tennis Park. “Tennis is such a social sport, and you can play from age 5 to 95,” said Laura Weygandt, executive director of WWTA.
“Spring and fall, we need about 30 volunteers per week for Abilities tennis, and other volunteers are needed for events we do all over the area,” she said. “We will need 60-plus volunteers for the JTT State Championships (July 16-18); we have more than 500 kids coming!”
Volunteers and donations are also needed for the annual Charity Tennis Classic, held in September, which benefits Transitions LifeCare and WWTA scholarships.
And as local towns add more courts to meet the growth of tennis in our community, Weygandt adds that there is a need for additional tennis pros.
“Tennis is the game of a lifetime — that sounds cliché, but it really is,” said McGrew. “We played family doubles when the children were younger, then parents versus the boys. Now they’re too good! I’m confident my kids will play into adulthood.
“There’s the community service perspective, and tennis is a great way to get exercise. In this part of the country you can play year-round. It’s not a big time commitment, and it’s a great way to expand your social network, to meet people who share your interests.”
For more information on the Western Wake Tennis Association, see westernwaketennis.com.
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Thank you Cary Magazine for telling our story. It is great to have a magazine that can highlight all of the great opportunities, organizations and activities in our area!
Great comprehensive coverage of WWTA and the many important and inclusive activities. Yes….there are many opportunities for all to participate.