Growing the Game in the Boston Area
October 27, 2012
The Greater Boston Platform Tennis League (GBPTL) held its first annual Paddle EXPO at Weston Golf Club on Saturday, October 27th. The purpose of the event was to build on the recent growth and momentum the game is experiencing in the Boston area.
The event included teaching clinics for players at all ability levels and an Exhibition Match that featured local professionals Johan du Randt of Weston Country Club and Matt Porter of Brae Burn Country Club, as well as two pros from New York’s Westchester County League, Brian O’Connor and Devin Wakeford. Paddle enthusiasts could browse the latest equipment and apparel from manufacturers Viking and Wilson. Experts from Total Platform Tennis were on hand to explain exactly what it takes to get a paddle facility up and running to other area clubs. And representatives from PaddlePlayer.com helped capture much of the event on video.
What’s been the catalyst behind the recent growth of paddle tennis? There are several you can point to, but the biggest has to be the recent influx of tennis pros joining the GBPTL and signing on with area clubs to be their paddle pros, too. Guys like Johan du Randt (Weston), Matt Porter (Brae Burn), Dan McCormick (Eastern Yacht), Todd Hiscoxs (Myopia) and Paul Fairchild (Essex) are energizing the game in many ways. They are encouraging new players — not just at their own clubs — to come out and learn the game. They are also transforming the way the game is played (for a great/quick read on this topic, check out an excellent article by Mark Fischl The Transformation of Platform Tennis ). These pros are adding a new level of excitement to a game that was already addicting for many to begin with.
To help accommodate the growing interest in this exciting, fast-paced game, the GBPTL expanded capacity through several new additions. The League added one new team (South Shore) to its “A” division for the first time in well over a decade; and it has created a Board of Advisors to help oversee and manage future growth. The League also welcomed 2 new clubs (Winchester and Brookline Paddle) to the C division that was added to the original A and B divisions last season. Two years ago the League consisted of 24 teams across two divisions with roughly 550 players. Today, the Greater Boston Platform Tennis League now has 33 teams across three divisions with 740 players.
The game of Paddle is growing around the country, with Leagues in Chicago, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut leading the way. Greater Boston expects to join those ranks as we welcome new players and clubs to the game.
Sound Shore Platform Tennis Final Highlights 2012
November 17-18, 2012
A Conversation with Nicholas Bogannam, Chiropractic Physician
November 18, 2012
PaddlePlayer.com Open
September 16, 2012
Lake Forest Club Platform Tennis Camp
September 20-23, 2012 2012
Between September 20th-23rd, 2012, The Lake Forest Club (LFC) in Lake Forest, IL hosted the first ever PaddlePlayer.com pre-season platform tennis camp ran by PaddlePlayer.com’s own Alex Bancila and Mark Parsons along with LFC’s Racquets Associates Adam Morgan and Will Colmar. The completely sold out camp was the largest one in the history of the sport: 126 people participated over four days!
On Saturday, September 22nd, LFC was also the venue of a men’s professional exhibition which featured Mark Parsons & Dane Schmidgall vs. Alex Bancila & Peter Berka. All four players are currently ranked top 4 in the country – a rarity in any tournament match let alone in an exhibition.
Sports documentary filmmaker Brett Morse-Karzen of BMK Films was on hand to film the event. Below you have some highlights along with in-studio play analysis by Peter Berka and Will Colmar – enjoy.