CONCORD, MA – Jen Callen Beveridge didn’t begin playing tennis until she was 10 years old, but still managed to do OK.
That is, if your idea of "OK" is playing No. 1 singles for a nationally-ranked Division 1 College and playing professionally on the WTA tour.
Beveridge got a somewhat late start in the game that she has been involved with ever since, but, thanks to some teamwork, she’s making sure children in her hometown get a much earlier taste of the game.
Beveridge, who grew up in Concord, was instrumental in bringing tennis to some of the town's youngest players as part of an after-school program that started last spring and continued this fall.
"For me, I thought it was very important to give back to Concord, especially the students," Beveridge said. "While not only tons of fun, I believe that tennis is an excellent way to improve the ABCs (agility, balance and coordination) and helps to instill both confidence and teamwork."
The after-school program, which accommodates 50 students in grades K-3 at the Alcott School and is run under the direction of Beveridge and a host of parent volunteers, features the QuickStart format.
"I believe strongly that the QuickStart format represents the future of tennis in the United States, and I thought it would be an excellent way to not only get kids involved in a lifetime sport at an early age, but also help in the school’s commitment to keeping kids active and healthy," said Beveridge, a USPTA-certified teaching pro, who played at the University of Virginia and served as head coach of women’s teams at Dartmouth College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
"From Day 1, the Alcott School’s Parent-Teacher Group and principal were enthusiastic about the possibility of having a QuickStart after-school program at the school, and were instrumental in getting the program off the ground," Bevereidge said. "Their efforts included generously having permanent court lines painted on school grounds."
Beveridge also got the support from Alcott School physical education teacher Tim Gaudreau, whom she describes as "the glue of the after-school program" and an "enthusiastic supporter of tennis in the school."
A typical after-school tennis session begins with parent volunteers walking the children from their school to the tennis courts, followed by a healthy snack, and then instruction and play.
Beveridge has received a tremendous amount of help from the community in the form of a dedicated group of parent volunteers and a top-notch instructor lineup, including former Division 1 college players, current teaching pros, talented local junior players and the Alcott physical eduaction teacher.
Beveridge is hopeful that she will be able to start similar after-school programs in two of the town’s other elementary schools within a year, and plans to parlay the expanded interest in youth tennis into the formation of Jr. Team Tennis teams and local leagues.