By Karen Ronney
Each year, many high school tennis programs struggle to provide proper equipment and updated training for their girls’ and boys’ teams. Coaches also are in need practice balls, rackets and coaching education. The Southern California Tennis Association Foundation recently stepped up to help this tennis community by sponsoring the RSPA San Diego Team Coaching Training Workshop at Barnes Tennis Center.
This amazing educational event was enjoyed by about fifty participants including RSPA members and non-members, teaching pros, community coaches, parents, teachers and teen leaders. There was also food, drink, product giveaways and a raffle with incredible items donated by sponsors, vendors, local businesses and RSPA pros. In addition, local clubs donated about 1,200 gently-used tennis balls, and the San Diego District Tennis Association donated tennis rackets in good condition.
The workshop was sponsored by RSPA San Diego, CH Court Tech and Barnes Tennis Center. It was also made possible by product sponsorships from USTA Southern California, Dunlop, Wilson, Yonex, Babolat, Steve Riggs, Roberto Ancira, the Orange County Community Tennis Association and the Racquet Stringing Workshop of La Jolla.
“We know that high school coaches need more support than they are getting and we are happy to help,” said Linda Milan, the Executive Director for the SCTA Foundation. “They are an important part of the tennis community because they impact so many kids. This pathway is the link to creating recreational, junior and lifelong tennis players.”
The workshop opened with tips on Team Communication and How to Conduct Tryouts from RSPA Vice President Karen Ronney, a three-time National High School Coach of the Year by RSPA, the Professional Tennis Registry and the Racquet Sports Industry. She has been the head girls’ coach at Patrick Henry High for 18 years. Ronney, the event organizer, suggested a Parent Orientation Program, which includes a comprehensive letter of introduction, methods of providing rosters, schedules and a communication pathway such as shared Google docs, WhatsApp or team-related apps. She also shared best team practices for group warm-ups, how to create a positive team culture, and she led an inciteful teen player Q&A discussion.
Neil Johnson, Founder of Serve-Stroke-Volley (SSV) shared his international level-based rating system and competitive program as well as its application in the high school tryout process. Johnson said SSV defines eight levels of play from beginner to expert, and it can quickly help coaches rate players to determine varsity and junior varsity squads. SSV also hosts year round competitive events.
RSPA Pro Julianna Gates is a multi-faceted fitness coach, who is certified in the Pat Etcheberry system, TRX, and she is a yoga teacher. She led a group of volunteer high school players through a well-rounded Warm Up. Then RSPA veteran Coach Ed Collins taught the students to “Volley Like a Pro” and he led the group through various stages of perfecting the volley. Coach Ed, the former men’s coach at USD, is a four-time RSPA Coach of the Year. He taught the volunteer high school players to keep the racquet head up as they execute the shot from various locations on the court.
Babolat So Cal Territory Rep and RSPA Pro Allan Iverson did an incredible job of teaching Dynamic Doubles. “It’s important to develop basic tracking skills to see the ball and time your split-step, which gets you ready in doubles,” Iverson said. “You have to start from the very first ball that is hit and move forward with strategic understanding and vision.”
RSPA Pro Tom Shea, the former Director of Tennis for the Bay Club of Carmel Valley, demonstrated the “Greatest Game Ever” for teaching doubles. Shea, a past RSPA and SDDTA Pro of the Year, used the Champs and Challengers game in a 2v2 format to teach how to incorporate a combination of volleys, groundstrokes and serves into a live-ball structure.
“When you do a drill make sure you explain its purpose and notice if the players are managing or struggling with it,” Shea said. “After a point, ask how well players understand the objectives, shot selection and court positioning.”
Steve Riggs, the USTA SoCal Junior Team Tennis Area Coordinator for Orange County, shared options for high school players to compete on JTT teams in their off season. Riggs also outlined ways to use JTT to financially help support a high school program.
“If you are coaching kids and you’re not giving them a reason to keep playing, then you are not doing your job,” Riggs said. “JTT is a great gap filler between high school seasons. It can give players a reason to practice, take lessons and compete.”
Fundraising tips were highlighted by Robert Dixon, the Assistant Treasurer from Patrick Henry High. Dixon provided a wealth of information and creative ideas to attendees. He has raised over $200,000 for sports teams at the school.
“If you are coaching, you need to have one or two parents to lead the fundraising team,” Dixon said. “The key is to focus on raising small amounts at a time. A great opportunity is with restaurants that will give you twenty percent of the proceeds. It all adds up.”
Coaching advice for college-bound athletes came from two local experts in Grossmont College Women’s Coach Megan Haber, and San Diego City Women’s Coach Jami Jones. They provided information on how to help players earn a debt-free education for the first two years by considering community college tennis. There are additional perks such as priority registration, athletic counseling, and support on and off the court.
“Things have changed and now community college is a great choice for the first two years because it’s free in California,” Haber said. “The opportunities are amazing. It’s perfect for girls who want to play tennis but are not quite top level players.”
Said SDCC Coach Jami Jones: “The cost of college is so crazy now. Community college is a place to get an education, be competitive and have a few years to mature. Some kids are not ready to go away right after high school and this is a great next step.”
When it comes to San Diego area high school coaching community, two leaders shared inciteful information. Coach Kevin Brown, the boys’ and girls’ coach at Canyon Crest Academy, has led his program to five CIF San Diego Section Team Championships. Brown has worked with beginners to champions and he offered tips on building community while meeting the athletes’ diverse needs.
“No matter the level of the players, they are there for the same reasons,” Brown said. “They just want to have fun. Sometimes the van rides are where the best memories are made. Kids have a chance to bond, talk, sing and build friendships. No one remembers if they won or lost matches but they remember the fun in the van. If I’m doing that, I’ve done my job well.”
Helix High boys’ and girls’ teams are led by Coach Dan Potter, who is a no-cut coach. He runs a tight schedule that includes practices and matches for varsity, junior varsity and novice players.
“The kids want the courts to be their place, and their space,” Potter said. “I have 60 plus kids per season, and they take ownership of the courts. Sometimes they just want to hang out, sit and do homework. Or they come to decompress and have fun.”
RSPA San Diego thanks all of our sponsors, vendors and community members who made event this happen. Also special thanks to the wonderful volunteer teen players that included Natalie Stein, Ruby Roe and Kim Nguyen from Patrick Henry High, Mikayla Riggs, Julie and Cate Riggs from Woodbridge High, Bradley Middlekamp from Canyon Hills High and Ian Hanrahan from Tierrasanta.
“We were very pleased to be able to offer a workshop specifically for those who lead teams of all types,” said Steve Kappes, the RSPA San Diego Executive Director. “We greatly appreciated the experts who offered help, advice and teaching tips. We are also grateful to the SCTA Foundation and all of our sponsors who made this possible. I think this made a big difference in supporting a unique group of team coaches and high school players who are often overlooked. It was a fantastic community event.”
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About the Southern California Tennis Association Foundation:
We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization and is the charitable arm of USTA Southern California. The Foundation’s mission is to “Change lives and build communities through tennis.” Since 2020, the SCTA Foundation has had a community impact of giving over $1million in tennis grants and tennis scholarships to deserving youth, adults, tennis organizations, tennis facilities and tennis programs to make tennis an equal opportunity sport, accessible to all, regardless of age, ability, ethnicity, or economic background. Visit us on Social Media on Instagram and Facebook. To learn more about the SCTA Foundation go to: www.sctafoundation.org. To donate go to: sctafoundation.org/donate/.
