News

ORLANDO, FLA., October 6, 2020 – The USTA and Genesis Health Clubs today announced a strategic partnership that brings together the national governing body for tennis in the United States with one of the largest health and tennis club companies in the country.

Through this relationship, both parties will combine resources to continue growing the sport of tennis, with a particular focus on attracting new youth and adult players.

State-of-the-art coaching tools, training, and programming support will be provided to Genesis tennis professionals by the USTA, including access to the USTA’s Net Generation and adult suite of programs and apps to enhance Genesis’ current youth and adult offerings.

Net Generation is the USTA’s youth tennis brand designed to get more kids, ages 5-to-18, playing the sport. Through a smartphone app, coaches and players can connect on practice activities, feedback, and skill assessments at the click of a button. Genesis tennis professionals also will gain access to USTA coaching curriculums, which include video lesson plans and activities to bolster their current lesson plans.

“Partnering with Genesis Health Clubs helps support our mission of growing tennis by combining top quality USPTA and PTR certified coaches with introductory and fitness-based tennis activities,” said Michael Dowse, USTA Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director. “With an expanding and newly renovated tennis club network throughout the Midwest, Genesis has built an industry-wide reputation for creative programming that leads to exceptional growth and player retention. We’re very excited to be working together.”

With more than 54 Health Clubs in over six states, Genesis Health Clubs continues to grow and expand its health, wellness, and fitness outreach. Its tennis footprint has expanded with 15 tennis facilities that are led by more than 90 tennis professionals, impacting thousands of people by involving them in tennis.

“We’re very excited to be working together to ‘grow the game’ of tennis,” said Rodney Steven, CEO / President of Genesis Health Clubs. “It is a privilege to partner with the USTA and be at the forefront of the tennis and health industry. Our goals and missions are aligned to achieve the best experience and to provide the conduit into the communities that Genesis serves. I played throughout college and all six of my kids were positively impacted by the game through high school and collegiate tennis.”

“When you combine the USTA, Genesis, and the game of tennis, you have the makings of a powerful team that will grow and better the tennis landscape in so many ways,” said Mike Woody, Vice President, National Director of Tennis at Genesis Health Clubs. “Our goal at Genesis Tennis is to make a difference through tennis within our facilities, outside our facilities, and in every community we serve.”

As part of this new partnership with the USTA, all Genesis tennis professionals will engage in and support the USTA’s Net Generation youth brand by registering, creating a coaching profile, and becoming SafePlay compliant to help parents find a safe, high-quality tennis coach for their children.

“We’re thrilled that Genesis will be utilizing Net Generation in their youth tennis programming,” said Craig Morris, USTA Chief Executive, Community Tennis. “The Net Generation curriculum is all based on the American Development Model (ADM) to develop physical literacy and athletic development while supporting local coaches as they strive to deliver a fantastic on-court experience for kids.”

The USTA and Genesis Health Clubs also will collaborate on ways to attract more adult players to the sport through a range of new competitive and social leagues, tournaments, and team events.