Family Circle Tennis Center recognized as a "Top 50" facility

For Immediate Release, February 2007
http://www.familycirclecup.com
Family Circle Tennis Center recognized as a "Top 50" facility for promoting the growth of tennis in the U.S.


Tennis Center staff lauded for its proactive role delivering tennis to the community

Charleston, SC – The Family Circle Tennis Center has been named a "Top 50 Tennis Welcome Center of 2006" for delivering a variety of tennis programs to new and current players of all ages in efforts to grow participation in the game, the Tennis Industry Association and United States Tennis Association announced. The Family Circle Tennis Center is one of only three sites in the state of South Carolina to be recognized for growing the game of tennis as a "Tennis Welcome Center", and providing top-quality instruction, exciting programming, and a great social setting to encourage people to enjoy tennis.


"The staff at the Family Circle Tennis Center has created a positive tennis experience for people in the Charleston area," says Jolyn de Boer, who is executive director of the Tennis Industry Association (TIA). "Tennis Welcome Centers serve a vital role in delivering tennis and we are pleased to recognize these efforts with this award.


The Family Circle Tennis Center was selected as a "Top 50 Tennis Welcome Center of 2006" for its increased participation figures involving new and returning players, support of industry programs and community tennis development, and were active with Tennis Welcome Center facility requirements among other criteria.


"The operators of these Top 50 TWCs represent the best of the best" among thousands of teaching professionals who work hard every day to welcome new players to our great lifetime sport,” says Mark McMahon, USTA National Manager for Tennis Welcome Centers.


The Tennis Welcome Center initiative—backed by all sectors of the industry, from governing bodies and manufacturers to media, retailers, teaching organizations and facilities--has played a leading role in the sport's growth. Pro player Maria Sharapova is a spokeswoman for the program, which is free to tennis facilities who wish to support industry efforts to grow participation through specific programming and marketing.

"With our newly redesigned grass roots approach to growing the game of tennis, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in both juniors and adults taking up this sport of a lifetime" says Rob Eppelsheimer, Family Circle Tennis Center Director. "We offer instructional clinics, as well as junior programming, adult classes, and individual instruction for all levels. There’s really something for everyone here on Daniel Island.


MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

Tennis is the only traditional sport to grow participation from 2000 to 2005, according to a study by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Assoc. Participation increased 10.3% during that period. “Tennis Welcome Centers are a critical connection point between all of the tennis industry stakeholders invested in growing the game and the hundreds of thousands of new players who are attracted to the sport each year," says Mark McMahon, USTA National Manager for Tennis Welcome Centers. "The USTA is proud to recognize the Family Circle Tennis Center."



ABOUT FAMILY CIRCLE TENNIS CENTER:

The Family Circle Tennis Center, home of the Family Circle Cup, is a public facility owned by the City of Charleston and operated by Family Circle Magazine that hosts a variety of events including concerts, festivals, tennis events and other special activities throughout the year. With over 21 million readers, Family Circle is one of the most widely read monthly magazines in America and is one of 14 leading subscription magazines owned by Meredith Corporation. The Center features a 10,200 seat stadium, a Grand Lawn, 17 tennis courts, all lighted for night play, and a racquet club featuring a full service pro shop and locker room facilities. The Family Circle Tennis Center has a full service event management staff capable of handling all aspects of an event including ticketing, operations, sales, advertising, marketing, public relations, and food & beverage. For more information on the Family Circle Tennis Center, please call (843) 849-5300 or go online at www.familycirclecup.com.


PHOTOS UPON REQUEST:

Contact:

Michael Saia
Communications Manager
Family Circle Tennis Center
161 Seven Farms Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
P: (843) 849-3153
F: (843) 856-7901
Michael.Saia@familycirclecup.com



INDUSTRY CONTACTS:
Jolyn de Boer, Executive Director, Tennis Industry Association, 843-686-3036

Mark McMahon, National Manager for Tennis Welcome Centers, U.S. Tennis Association, 770-399-8435


WEB LINKS:

For information on Tennis Welcome Centers, go to http://www.TennisWelcomeCenter.com

For the "Top 50 Tennis Welcome Centers" go to http://partners.tenniswelcomecenter.com/pdfs/top50twcs06.pdf