After-School Tennis Program Being Offered To Children In West Wake County

By: TGA Premier Tennis | 4 Shares 272 Reads

TGA Premier Youth Tennis will enrich the lives of youth and impact schools and community based organizations.

May 09, 2012 // Franchising.com // West Wake County, NC – It has been one year since Paul Maskill left the corporate world to launch his after-school sports program, TGA Premier Junior Golf, in West Wake County. It was so successful that he is now expanding his entrepreneurial dream and adding tennis to his offerings.

Maskill, a University of Michigan graduate, has expanded his fast growing business by acquiring one of the new TGA Premier Youth Tennis franchises to complement his golf program. A passionate tennis player himself, he will now be offering youngsters two unique after-school sports programs.

TGA Premier Youth Tennis of West Wake County will introduce children to tennis at elementary and middle schools, child care centers and community based organizations through a multi-level teaching program. It will then transition them to camps at TGA partner facilities, and local United States Tennis Association (USTA) youth programs.

“Paul is a one of our most dynamic and passionate franchisees and we are very excited about the successful programs he is bringing to the West Wake County community,” says Steve Tanner, chief operating officer of TGA. “By combining his education and business skills with TGA’s sustainable tennis franchise model, he has the opportunity to expedite the growth of his business by providing two after-school sports programs that enrich kids’ lives and grow the sport of tennis.”

TGA began awarding franchises for its Premier Youth Tennis business in January. Maskill recognized the new TGA opportunity with its similar business model and national partnership with the USTA and quickly acquired the tennis business.

"After going through the 'USTA 10 and Under Tennis' training, adding tennis to TGA of West Wake County was a natural fit," explains Maskill. "The support we have received from the USTA on all levels has been amazing. From the national USTA, to the North Carolina district to our local Western Wake
Tennis Association (WWTA), we have been able to accomplish bringing tennis to schools and community organizations in the community in such a short time."

The TGA/USTA partnership aligns with the USTA’s youth initiative, “10 and Under Tennis,” geared towards getting more children to participate in tennis using modified equipment and courts tailored to their sizes and ages. The partnership has developed specific curriculums for grades K – 3 and 4 – 8, designed to enrich young people’s lives through physical fitness, health and nutrition, education and character building.

Maskill is taking full advantage of the USTA partnership. He is working very closely with WWTA to create a player pathway to get more youngsters and their families involved into tournaments, leagues, Junior Team Tennis, and USTA play days.

“WWTA, together with the USTA, has done a fantastic job in getting free tennis equipment into 46 area schools to use during PE classes. With our after-school programs, we are now able to offer young children a way to continue playing the game by transitioning them from their PE tennis introduction into our multi-level after-school programs,” Maskill says.

Maskill’s programs are expected to impact thousands of students in both tennis and golf annually.

“We have had tremendous support from our schools and families throughout our first year in the area. To be able to make another non-traditional sport (tennis) accessible to everyone in West Wake County is very exciting.”

TGA’s sports franchise programs, which run the leading school and community based youth golf and tennis programs in the United States, are geared toward motivated self-starters who are passionate about the sport, their community and enjoy working with children. Each franchise offers not only business ownership and job opportunities in the industry, but also a unique way to grow the sport.

About TGA Premier Youth Tennis

TGA Premier Youth Tennis (TGA) is a youth development program executed through a franchise opportunity for self-starters who have a passion for children to provide them entry into youth sports, education and the tennis industry. TGA introduces youth to tennis at elementary and middle schools, child care centers, and community based organizations through a multi-level enrichment program before transitioning them to tennis facilities and USTA initiatives nationwide. TGA is a national partner with the United States Tennis Association, a national supporting organization of the Afterschool Alliance and Lights on Afterschool and is a corporate advocate and national partner of the President’s Challenge on Physical Fitness, as well as the National Council of Youth Sports.

For more information on TGA, visit www.playtga.com or follow @tgayouthtennis on Twitter.