As part of the third annual LOVE Your Park Week in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Freedoms and The Fairmount Park Conservancy will celebrate the opening of the recently refurbished Hunting Park Tennis Courts when Freedoms Owner Billie Jean King makes the official “first hit” of the season to students from Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls and Legacy Youth Tennis and Education Center on Thursday, May 15 at 2 p.m.
“We are excited about the reopening of the new Hunting Park Tennis Courts,” said Executive Director of the Fairmount Park Conservancy Kathryn Ott Lovell. “We genuinely feel that these renovated courts have empowered children to take pride and ownership in their community.”
Following the "first hit" of the season each youth tennis group will have a celebrity coach representative teach them how to serve, volley, and backhand like a pro. The tennis demonstration will conclude when the two groups recreate the famous "Battle of the Sexes" matchup that took place between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in the 1970’s, which inspired modern day mixed gender tennis matches.
Comcast SportsNet’s John Clark will serve as the emcee for this event.
In an effort to leave a lasting impact on the growth of tennis in the community, the Freedoms will donate 100 junior tennis racquets to Legacy Youth and Tennis Education Center.
In May 2013, the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation dedicated six refurbished tennis courts in Hunting Park thanks in part to the Philadelphia Freedoms and United States Tennis Association (USTA). The $550,000 project is a part of the Hunting Park Revitalization Project, which is a long-term comprehensive plan led by the Fairmount Park Conservancy to turn the 87-acre park into a safe and well-maintained space that will provide a place for healthy recreation for children and families, bring neighborhoods together and serve as a catalyst for larger neighborhood renewal.
Today, Hunting Park boasts six state of the art tennis courts, which sit on the east side of the park. The courts were designed and constructed by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation with guidance from the USTA. The center two courts are bright, multi-colored signature Mylan WTT courts, the first public courts of this kind in Philadelphia. The Hunting Park courts are also equipped with QuickStart tennis lines, which allow children 10 years of age and younger to learn and play the game.
Entering their 15th season of Mylan WTT play, the 2014 Philadelphia Freedoms return to the Pavilion at Villanova University (800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA) for seven home matches this July. The 2014 home schedule will be highlighted by Grand Slam Champion marquee players Victoria Azarenka playing for the Freedoms (July 15) and visiting marquee players Venus Williams (Washington Kastles – July 17), and Andy Roddick (Austin Aces – July 21) each playing one match in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Freedoms have drafted seven-time Grand Slam women’s and mixed doubles player Liezel Huber, current No. 5 ranked doubles player Marcelo Melo (@MarceloMelo83), former No.1 Canadian player Frank Dancevic, and 2013 Freedoms rookie sensation Vicky Duval (@Vicky_Duval95) during the 2014 Mylan WTT Roster Draft held Tuesday, March 11. The team also recently welcomed former world No. 1 Doubles great and Philadelphia native, Lisa Raymond (@LisaRaymond73) to their front office staff where she serves as Director of Player Personnel.
Freedoms events feature world-class tennis in an innovative, fast-paced WTT coed team format. Each evening includes exciting family entertainment including USTA Quick Start Tennis, live music, mascots, kids’ games, prizes, food and much more.
With Mylan WTT’s gender-balanced team concept, each team is comprised of two men, two women and a coach. Team matches consist of five sets, with one set each of men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. Each team will play 14 matches - seven home, seven away. The Eastern Conference is made up of the Boston Lobsters, Philadelphia Freedoms and Washington Kastles. The Western Conference includes the Austin Aces, San Diego Aviators, Springfield Lasers and Texas Wild.
Freedoms 2014 individual tickets are available online exclusively at PhiladelphiaFreedoms.comor by phone (866-WTT-TIXS).
About The Fairmount Park Conservancy:
The Fairmount Park Conservancy exists to champion the Fairmount Park system. Its mission is to work as a collaborative partner to lead and support efforts that preserve and improve Fairmount Park to enhance the quality of life and stimulate the economic development of the Greater Philadelphia Region. The Fairmount Park Conservancy fulfills its mission by leading signature capital projects and innovative programs throughout Fairmount Park; by developing and leveraging resources for the park; and by promoting the parks’ unique assets and contributions. The Fairmount Park system covers more than 10,200 acres and is considered one of the largest urban park systems in the world. It includes a network of more than 100 neighborhood parks and contains some of the region’s most famous treasures and attractions. For more information, please visit www.myphillypark.org. Like the Fairmount Park Conservancy on Facebook atfacebook.com/FairmountParkConservancy and Follow on Instagram and Twitter @myphillypark.
About Philadelphia Freedoms:
Mylan World TeamTennis (WTT) was co-founded by Billie Jean King who is also owner of the Philadelphia Freedoms. The 2014 Philadelphia Freedoms are hosted by Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Generous support is also provided by official sponsors, Lincoln Motor Company, CBS-3/CW-57, Macy*s, DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia – Valley Forge, Fidelity Investments, Winnie‘s LeBus Manayunk, 23K Studios, Fast Signs of Delaware, Hamlin Family Foundation, Neumann University Sport & Entertainment Management, Sweet Street Desserts, and USTA Middle States.
No comments:
Post a Comment