Love All: 175 Military Dependents Benefit from Free Tennis Clinic

There is much talk about support for our troops and their families but one group of tennis volunteers from across the country put that into action stopping through Fort Bragg on Tuesday, July 2 to spend the day with military families.

Dick Stockton, a former world-ranked tennis player will come to the post to launch the inaugural free tennis clinic program through the non-profit Blue Sky Foundation, Inc., where 12 tennis legends and certified teaching professionals offered expertise and encouragement.

T3, known as 'Thanking our Troops through Tennis' kicked off their tour at Fort Bragg and Stockton is hoping to generate more sponsorship support to continue the endeavor at other military posts across the U.S. with hopes of hitting the courts in the D.C. area this fall. 

"We are so honored to be able to show the thanks  to all the military, and on the tennis court, this is our home," said Stockton. "This has been a great event today and I look forward to doing it again."

The youth started the morning with some basic drills, tips and core foundations of the game in mini-workshops inside Fort Bragg's Ritz-Epps gymnasium - due to the torrential downpour. Racquets were provided and door prizes were given away at the end of each clinic.

Renee Lane from the USO was on hand to view the aspiring tennis players progress and said she was glad that the USO was able to sponsor the hot lunch catered to the participants that afternoon. 

"We really appreciate the volunteers at Blue Sky and how they've honored the military here today," said Kevin Wells from Fort Bragg's recreational tennis program before presenting the team of T3 volunteer coaches with t-shirts from Fort Bragg. "This has been a really great experience and so many great stories have already come from today's event."

Different age groups were routed through the clinic and divided according to ability group taking tips and getting some volley time with former tennis professionals - to include the winner of the 1977 Wimbledon Championship, JoAnne Russell whose partner was Australia's Helen Gourlay.

"My mom has always played and I never thought it could be so much fun," exclaimed Kristin, a third grade student at Butner Road Elementary School."I really want to take lessons now and get my friends to play too."

Ira Peskowitz, one of the tennis coaches coming up from Palm Beach first met Stockton three years ago after he started the 'Kids and Police Tennis Association' program in Florida. "We partnered up under his program, and it's been a great opportunity," said Peskowitz.