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Youth Tennis Anyone?
Donna Cockrell is
enjoying her second year of running the Swedesboro/Woolwich Department
of Parks and Recreation Tennis League. The league is targeted at
third, fourth, fifth and sixth grade kids and is designed to teach the
fundamental skills in tennis.
The league is
intended to be sort of a pre-cursor to entering the tennis ranks at
Kingsway. This year, approximately 44 kids took part in the league.
Including Cockrell,
there were several other coaches that helped out. The coaches were
Tory Skyers, Maureen Crocker, Gary Winter, Gary Henderson and Caroline
Kalfas.
“Without the help of
these great parent/coaches the league would not have been as much of a
success,” said Cockrell.
Cockrell also credits
Natalie Matthias who is responsible for the Swedesboro/Woolwich
department of Parks and Recreation. Without Matthias the tennis league
would not have been possible.
The cost of the
league this year was minimal. Thirty dollars per athlete paid for
expenses that included the season ending events, administration, a
certificate and a sweat shirt.
“The key to this
program’s success is keeping it fun,” said Cockrell. “We teach the
basics and it’s not overly competitive. That is what keeps the kids
interest high,” added Cockrell.
A couple of notable
kids include Kevin Watts. “Watts picked up the game real quick and
gave it lots of effort. He never missed a practice,” said Cockrell.
“John Stolzer is a
great athlete and will be an outstanding tennis player in the future,”
said Cockrell. “Sarah James definitely gets most improved player for
the season,” said Cockrell. “Michael Cunningham was one of the best
players at hitting the ball back and fourth,” said Cockrell.
 I
got a chance to interview Gabby Winter who played on the fourth grade
team. “My favorite part of the game was learning how to serve,” said
Winter. “The hardest part was learning how to hit the backhand,” she
added.
When I asked Gabby if
she would do it again next year, she responded enthusiastically with a
big, “YES!”
Cockrell is excited
about building for next season. She is looking forward to working more
and more with the community and Kingsway. There is a chance there will
be a spring league, it depends on factors like finding the right mix
of coaches, interest level and availability of tennis courts.
If you are interested
in joining the league, keep an eye out for flyers sent home from
school. The fall league sent out its flyer in the first week of
September 2007.
For more information,
please feel free to e-mail Donna Cockrell at
scockrell@verizon.net .
Below is a list of the coaches and their teams for the fall 2007 youth
tennis league.
5th & 6th
Grade (Coach Maureen Crocker)
Drew Aaron, Carlee Crocker, Kiera Wynder, Nicole Barbara, Michelle
Richardson, Chris Mikolajczak, Yehya Kobeissi, Jimmy Kennedy
4th & 5th
Grade (Coach Tory Skyers)
Michael Massaro, Marlon Skyers, Tatum Cockrell, Michael Cunningham,
Sarah James, Ashley Marx, Kevin Watts, Gabrielle Goitiandia, John
Stolzer, Kaya Rist, Mikaela Biester, Jinisha Patwa, Morgan Nicora
4th
Grade (Coach Gary Winter)
Jonathan Gabe, Matthew Pollock , Arquel Miller, Clare Stephens,
Maggie Stephens, Gabby Winter, Marut Raval, JT Deluca, Dante Maccarone,
Jennifer Kennedy, Lyric LaBoarde, Michael Wilcox, Ashley Easterday,
Kellen Rist
3rd
Grade (Coach Gary Henderson and Caroline Kalfas)
Sabrina Hall, Kylie Lacerte, Allison DePaolo, James Martin Jr.,
Destiny Stanford, Anastasios Kalfas, Marissa Henderson, David
Strudwick, Gus Giovinazzi
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