WS Chronicle

Tennis is not typically a sport that is easily accessible for many urban youth.  Kevin Fleck aims to change this for Forsyth County youth with his First Friday Tennis Party.

Fleck, who is a USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) tennis professional, is the owner and operator of Flex Tennis.  The tennis parties will take place the first Friday of every month, starting tomorrow.  The tennis party will be held at the Salem Academy & College tennis courts at 790 E Salem Ave.

“I teach an educational program here in Winston for the young people that has been going on for many years and it’s a clinic that teaches them the basics of tennis. That has been a great addition to the tennis community, and I just want to build on that by adding something fun,” said Fleck.

“This is a tennis party and it will really be based around them having fun, doing group games and just enjoying the sport.  They don’t have to have any experience, and it’s just something fun for the kids to do on a Friday night.”

According to Fleck, the kids will participate in some group tennis games to promote fellowship along with individual training to teach them basic skills. 

“They will kind of be working together as well as competing and it’s a lot of activities for them to jump in and hit the ground running even if they have never played tennis before,” he said. 

Boys and girls, ages 7 to 17, are invited to come out to the tennis party, which is free of charge. 

Fleck says one of his main goals is for the children to come out and possibly pick up the sport of tennis in their free time.  He says it’s a sport that you can enjoy even as a senior citizen.

“I just want the kids to have fun and enjoy the event,” he went on to say.  “I hope they will be excited to have played a new or different sport that they may not have been exposed to in the past.  Tennis is something you can play for a lifetime to stay active, healthy and build positive relationships.”

“It teaches you a lot about yourself and how to approach different situations in life that can build confidence and self-esteem.  I hope the event makes a positive impact on all the kids involved.”

The party will run from 5 to 6:30 pm.  Fleck says for the first hour of the clinic, the kids will play the tennis games.  For the final 30 minutes, they will provide food and music for the kids to socialize and get to know one another.

Fleck says he hopes this clinic gives kids something to look forward to in the coming months.  He feels making new relationships is part of what tennis is all about.