Prince to Host “Plugged In” Challenge Cup IV for Juniors
Tennis Academies Face Off for Title of Best in United States
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Zach Perles
One Advantage Court
Bordentown,
609-291-5932
zperles@princesports.com
09/20/06 - Bordentown, NJ – Known as a change agent in racquet technology innovation, Prince Tennis also applies those principles in support of junior tennis. Prince announced today its intention to host the Prince “Plugged In” Challenge Cup IV, a junior tennis event that allows players and coaches the opportunity to share, experience and learn the values of comradery, pride and competitive spirit.
Eight of the best junior tennis academies affiliated with Prince will go head-to-head in hopes of claiming the prestigious Challenge Cup as the best academy in the nation. The academies will converge at Mike Wolf Tennis Academy Sept. 28 – Oct. 1, 2006, in Overland Park, Kan.
Prince “Plugged In” (PPI) is an exclusive program that brings together 33 junior tennis academies from around the United States through Challenge Cup events, training seminars and online networking. The Prince “Plugged In” Challenge Cup IV is the culmination of a season of hard work and dedication that allows the PPI academies to showcase their talented players and the progress they have made during the season. The PPI Challenge Cup IV helps the Prince “Plugged In” academies measure their players’ development and performance.
“This event is only happening because of Prince’s support,” said Elliott McDermed, head coach at Mike Wolf Tennis Academy and Challenge Cup tournament director. “The Challenge Cup is a long term vision that will change junior tennis, and Prince is the engine behind the initiative. It is remarkable that Prince has taken on this mission, and the Challenge Cup sets them apart from every other racquet company in the country.”
One male and one female from each of the USTA age divisions – 12 and under, 14 and under, 16 and under, and 18 and under – will participate in singles and doubles matches. The event gives junior players the opportunity to learn the game from a team perspective and become familiar with the scoring format of the collegiate game.
Unlike individual events and professional tournaments, coaches from each academy are allowed to coach during all matches so players can learn and improve immediately. Coaches also collaborate with each other to share knowledge of training, scheduling, strategy, nutrition and other important elements of junior tennis development.
USTA Director of Men’s Tennis Rodney Harmon will also be in attendance as a guest of Prince Sports to lend his experience, knowledge and expertise to the weekend event. He will be hosting a weekend clinic and offering insight into junior tennis through Q&A sessions with players, parents and academy directors. Prince personnel will also be on hand to showcase new and existing products and educate participants on how to optimize equipment to improve performance.
“This is a one-of-a-kind chance for the kids to learn what it takes to be a good teammate – hard work, respect and encouragement of others,” said Ken Merritt, director of teaching programs at Prince. “This event allows kids to develop as tennis players and as people. They begin to think of ‘we’ instead of ‘me.’ They will all gain invaluable experience, and Prince is excited to help them take the next step in their young tennis careers.”
The academy that comes out on top will join the notable ranks of previous winners including
T-Bar M Academy of Dallas (two-time winner and defending champion) and IMG Academy of Bradenton, Fla. Scheduled to play this year are:
Mike Wolf Tennis Academy – Overland Park, Kan.
T-Bar M Tennis Academy – Dallas
St. Stephens Academy – Austin, Texas
Elite TNT Academy – Houston, Texas
Flagship Tennis Academy – Minneapolis
IMG Academy – Bradenton, Fla.
Trent Tucker Tennis Academy – Tulsa, Okla.
About Prince Sports
Prince Sports, Inc., based in New Jersey, is a recognized leader in game-improvement technologies and engineering-based high-performance sports equipment. Since 1970, Prince and Ektelon have revolutionized tennis, squash and racquetball with innovations including “Oversize,” “Longbody” and “Extender” racquet technologies, Natural Foot Shape footwear technology, Synthetic Gut String and Electronic Ball Machines. In 2005, Prince introduced O3, another breakthrough that features an expanded sweet spot (up to 54 percent) and increased racquet speed, a combination only possible with O3 Technology. In 2006, Prince developed M Series footwear with Precision Tubes, the latest innovation that gives players maximum cushioning, stability and ventilation. Prince Sports has operations on three continents and distribution in over 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.princetennis.com.
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