Avondale resident named USTA Florida tennis volunteer of the month

Avondale resident named USTA Florida tennis volunteer of the month

Charlie Parker’s memories of junior tennis include father-son events, trips with other kids to weekend tournaments, and group tennis drills and games that ended with exhausted smiles and laughter.

Now with a son and daughter, the elementary school physical education teacher is introducing his own children to the game through 10 and Under Tennis as volunteer director of 10 and Under Tennis at Boone Park. His affection for the sport has not gone unnoticed. The U.S. Tennis Association Florida recently named Parker the May 2012 Volunteer of the Month for the state of Florida for his service to elementary school and public parks tennis youth.

“It’s particularly rewarding to volunteer in the 10 and Under Tennis program,” Parker said, “because the majority of the young players have little to no prior tennis involvement. The real progress they often make in a short period can be exciting to experience. I specifically enjoy volunteering in 10 and Under Tennis because I agree strongly with the philosophy of making learning ‘fun’ to keep more children interested in the game so many of us love.”

The Avondale resident is experienced in tennis and development through his physical education background and has knowledge of small-child development. Parker’s former junior competitive playing history also is a complement to his expertise.

“I remember watching my dad play tennis on the red clay public courts at Bayview in Pensacola and wanting desperately to play,” Parker said. “Now I hear the joyful anticipation from my children as they ask once again if it is tennis day yet.”

At Boone Park, Parker assists programs run by the Jax Youth Tennis Association, which partners with the City of Jacksonville for 10 and Under Tennis and USTA Jr. Team Tennis leagues. Celia Rehm founded the JYTA and recruited Parker when the program started.

“Charlie has contributed in so many ways as a volunteer to our 10 and Under Tennis program at Boone Park since the onset of the program in 2010,” Rehm said. “His service to our organization, to JaxParks, and his commitment to the 10 and Under Tennis program at Boone Park has been outstanding. We have run the program for three seasons, and each season he has generously given of his time and skill as the lead instructor for the 8-and-under groups coming out twice a week for seven weeks each season. The children love him, and I have received nothing but praise from parents and the Boone staff on the job that he does.”

Parker also has secured 10 and Under Tennis school equipment through USTA Florida grants, including child-sized racquets, lower-bouncing balls and smaller nets and court sizes, for use in his elementary classes.

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