Award-Winning Touch of Tennis Clinic Returns to GMercyU For Its 19th Year

GMercyU's Women's Tennis Head Coach Jim Holt is bringing his acclaimed Touch of Tennis clinic back to campus this summer for its 19th season. The free camp brings together members of the GMercyU tennis teams, community volunteers, and athletes with special needs for a night of fun and fitness. The weekly program runs Wednesday nights from 6:30 until 7:45 p.m. for six weeks beginning on June 27, 2018.

With his background as a Special Education teacher, Jim started the Touch of Tennis program to address the lack of athletic activities available for athletes with special needs. The camp has given him the opportunity to combine his enthusiasm for tennis and his commitment to those with special needs by offering tennis instruction and tennis related games for any individual with any special need. He and a few key instructors have undergone additional training in techniques generally used to help young children learn to play in order to provide a fun and encouraging environment for all participants.

Volunteers from the University and beyond will share their knowledge and love of the sport with the participants. Volunteers include tennis players from GMercyU, area high schools and middle schools, and GMercyU coaching staff.

In 2010, Jim was honored with the United State Tennis Association's Adaptive Tennis Community Service Award in recognition for his twelve years of service facilitating the Touch of Tennis camp.

Volunteers and athletes can register for the camp by clicking here. For information, including weather updates, check the blog or Facebook page the day of the event. The camp will be canceled if there is rain or extreme heat.

Donations, both monetary and equipment, are always welcome. If you would like to provide support, please contact touchoftennis@gmail.com.

If you have any questions or would like more information about Touch of Tennis, contact Jim at holt.j@gmercyu.edu.