When the Cleveland Dolphins and Roosevelt Rattlesnakes stepped onto the courts at Pershing Park last Tuesday afternoon, the energy level was already high. The two teams had been preparing for this moment all semester and were eager to put their new skills to use.
There to coach and support the young players was a squad of Men’s and Women’s City College Vaqueros. After welcoming the teams through a tunnel with rackets raised, the Vaqueros led the teams in a dynamic warm-up. Then it was time for the big match to begin.
Over the next hour, spreading across all eight courts, the Rattlesnakes and Dolphins battled it out in doubles play, with many parents and siblings cheering them on. The Vaqueros, as well as a large team of Tennis Patrons volunteers, acted as feeders, timekeepers and scorekeepers.
Tennis Patrons head coaches Katie Kinsella and John Kinsella circulated, offering words of encouragement to their respective teams. The players were focused and competitive to the very end, finishing exhausted but with a sense of accomplishment.
After the match, while the final score was being tallied, the players were called up individually by Tennis Patrons head coach and event MC, Santiago Segovia to receive a “Community Tennis Player” diploma and free tennis racket. Then, with the excitement building, Segovia announced the winner; in a close match, the Cleveland Dolphins would take home the winning trophy and the Roosevelt Rattlesnakes the runner-up.
“What happened next was to me the most amazing part of the afternoon,” commented attendee and Tennis Patrons Programs Administrator, Lisa Aviani. “While there were obviously feelings of disappointment on one side, the two teams – with coaching from the City College players – came together and shook rackets across the net and offered congratulations, in a display of really great sportsmanship.”
This is the third year that the Tennis Patrons has partnered with the Santa Barbara Unified School District’s A-OK after-school program – bringing tennis to kids who would otherwise not have access to the sport and becoming one of the most popular after-school activities in the elementary school district.
Each semester, the Tennis Patrons focuses on two local elementary schools, alternating between campuses. Sessions are staffed by volunteers of all ages, using nets set up on the blacktop. Tennis Patrons provides rackets, balls and all equipment. Sessions are led by experienced tennis pros and players, but no experience is needed to participate as a volunteer.
Highlights of the “season” include a practice on full-sized courts at a local college (this semester Westmont stepped up), lessons from Westmont, UCSB and local high school players, as well as field trips to attend local matches.
Tennis is such a great sport because it not only teaches physical skills but also soft skills such as perseverance, resilience and teamwork,” said Rattlesnakes head coach John Kinsella. “These kids showed amazing progress in their tennis game, but just as importantly showed great determination and sportsmanship today.”
The event concluded with probably the most popular activity of the afternoon – a pizza party.
The Santa Barbara Tennis Patrons schools program is always looking for new volunteers. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact program administrator, Lisa Aviani at lisaaviani@sbtennispatrons.org or (805)4484386.