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<\/p>\nBy Sandra Murphy<\/p>\n
Marianne Muzio got hooked on tennis when she took lessons after moving to Silveridge. Now she’s vice president of the tennis club.<\/p>\n
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\n“A lot of people have doubts when they start. But once they try it, they find out how much fun it is and become competitive,” she says. “We absolutely
\nlove new members. They bring fresh ideas and new abilities to the game and the club. We’re always looking for more people to join us.”
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Socialization is an important part of the sport. “It’s like making 120 new friends,” says Marianne. Plus, you get to meet players from other parks. There’s
\nalways plenty to talk about after the final point is scored.<\/p>\n
\n“People tell us Silveridge is one of the friendliest parks in the league,” says Brona Freeman, East Valley Senior Tennis League secretary\/treasurer who\u00a0lives at Silveridge. “People like to come here to play because we try to be good hosts. The entire environment is welcoming.” After the last set,\u00a0coffee and snacks are served so everyone has a chance to visit and relive the games.
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“We’re very supportive of our members,” says Marianne. “We watch each other’s matches and follow our teams through the season.”<\/p>\n
Ready to Compete?<\/b><\/p>\n
The park has four courts available. Two are lighted for evening play. Several times a year, free lessons are offered to beginners. For players who want to\u00a0improve their game, there are coaches for each team. Everyone is willing to help you succeed and enjoy a new activity.<\/p>\n
Silveridge’s tennis club is one of sixteen that make up the East Valley Senior Tennis League’s 3,000 member roster, making it the largest senior league in\u00a0the country.<\/p>\n
“Silveridge has been in the league for many years. As a smaller club, we need more members to keep competing,” Brona says. “Our 3.5 team was combined with\u00a0Sunland’s team for a couple of years but the big news for the coming season is that they will be separate again. Silveridge players are coming back.”<\/p>\n
While league play ends in early March, there are four large tournaments after that. Medals will be given for first, second and third place winners, plus\u00a0prizes. Look for updates and photos at the residents’ section of the park website (silveridge.com\/sun)<\/a>.<\/p>\n
| GETTING STARTED<\/b>Burn More Calories<\/b><\/p>\n Tennis is good for mind and body. In a friendly game, tennis players burn more calories than golfers or skaters would in the same amount of time. During\u00a0competition, calories go up in flames even faster-more than you’d melt during an aerobics class. Burning those calories builds stronger muscle and bone.\u00a0Tennis improves balance and coordination. Being agile on the court gives you a better chance of staying on your feet if you do trip or slip. An hour’s play\u00a0can burn 600 calories for men and over 400 for women.<\/p>\n Strengthen Your Brain<\/b><\/p>\n It’s not just your body that benefits. Working out in the gym means you can watch TV as you exercise or just let your mind wander. Not so with tennis which\u00a0works the body and mind simultaneously. Tennis requires creativity, planning and quick decisions as well as being quick on your feet. Scientists believe\u00a0tactical thinking during a game improves cognitive thinking on and off the court.<\/p>\n Tips for the Intimidated<\/b><\/p>\n In baseball, you only get a skinny stick to bat at the ball. In tennis, you get a racquet which has a greater surface area, increasing your odds of\u00a0connecting with the ball and getting it over the net. Tennis is a great way to improve eye-hand coordination while moving your feet at the same time.\u00a0There are people willing to teach you the how-to’s of tennis. Once you get the hang of it, you can learn ways to improve your skills.\u00a0If you play with somebody who’s just a little better than you are, it will encourage you to step up your game too.<\/p>\n You can start at any age. Why not now?<\/p>\n ****<\/p>\n |