Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins was in the USTA/Missouri Valley Section Saturday, June 10, as the guest of honor for Tennis Block Party events held in Davenport, Iowa and Moline, Ill.
Dinkins, a noted tennis patron and the USTA’s Honorary Spokesman for Youth, was on hand to see and observe the tennis festivities.
Nearly 100 Quad Cities youngsters – many of which were new players – turned out for the tennis festivities.
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| Group Dinkins Davenport |
The event also marked the eighth consecutive year of summertime tennis events hosted by the USTA/Missouri Valley, United Neighbors, Davenport Parks and Recreation and the Bi-State Tennis Association. An inclement rain dampened the event, forcing the two events indoors to the gymnasium at Davenport Central High School and the Quad City Tennis Club in Moline. But the youth played on, soaking up on-court instructional tips from USTA/Missouri Valley Diversity Manager, Fred Johnson, Iowa Tennis Service Representative Richard Dedor, and USTA Missouri Valley Section President Kevin Nebergall.
Youth at both tennis Block Parties were taught about the parts of the racquet, proper grip and stroke production and even went through a dynamic stretching routine. Participants then took part in a tennis obstacle course and a variety of on-court games, including “Inchworm” and “Walking the Dog”.
Volunteers from the Davenport and Rock Island tennis communities, including Bonnie Beechum and Ida Johnson from United Neighbors, assisted with the registration and sign-ups as well as on-court drills. USTA/Missouri Valley Staff member John Terpkosh and former USTA/Missouri Valley Section President Barbara Fackel also helped out with the Tennis Block Parties. It was a personal letter from Fackel to Dinkins that prompted Dinkins' first-ever appearance in the Quad Cities.
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| Beanbag Davenport |
After the on-court sessions in Davenport and Moline, Dinkins took center stage, stressing the many health and social benefits the sport of tennis offers youth. He also encouraged parents that a way to take part in both their children’s lives and their community was by volunteering for events like the Tennis Block Parties.
"Events like (Tennis Block Parties) are so important because they get children interested in tennis, and everyone needs a place to start," said Dinkins.
"In addition to being a sport for a lifetime, tennis teaches kids discipline. I envy kids because they get to start the sport young. I took up the game a little later than most, at age 45."
A reception to thank Dinkins was held after the two Tennis Block Parties at the United Neighbors office in downtown Davenport.
At the reception, Dinkins regaled the crowd with a speech that included several tennis anecdotes.
"I'm 79 and I play five times a week," said Dinkins. "If my skill level matched my enthusiasm, I might be half a player."
The former New York City mayor also conducted a question-and-answer session in which he spoke about diversity in tennis. In the question-and-answer time, Dinkins stressed the US Open’s continual role in not only producing our next champions and being the grand showcase of American tennis, but as the main impetus for helping spur and fund community tennis programs across the United States.