Florence tennis organization celebrates national fitness and tennis sports month

FLORENCE, SC (WPDE) — May marks National Fitness and Tennis Sports Month which promotes physical activity and the benefits of sports participation.

The Ron James Youth Tennis Program (RJYTP) was founded in 2021 and provides tennis and education to underserved youth in the Florence area.

The Florence City and County Councils both issued a proclamation and named May National Tennis Month in Florence County.

Organizers involved in the program were thrilled to get active and host several events throughout the month for community members.

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Executive Director Paul Pittman dedicated his time to make sure that anyone who wanted to be involved in the sport got all the necessary attention.

Just yesterday, we did a training with twenty-three adults and older teenagers and essentially what we were doing was training people to work with our volunteer program, so they’ll be out helping our pros on the court. That will get the kids good role models to work with and more people to help them as they learn the skills, said Pittman.

RJYTP works with all ages in hopes of growing the sport and teaching people skills they can take with them as they grow.

The Vice President of the board of the program, Ranada Samuel, said her daughter was a member of the program and it has been helping her tremendously as a player.

Not only is she learning skills on the court as it relates to physical ability, strength training, coordination, things of that nature, she’s also learning social skills, development dealing with stress management, how to handle adversity. So, lifelong skills that she can take and apply in all areas of her life, said Samuel

Leaders explained physical activity also plays a major role in a person’s health and can also ease anxiety and depression.

“So, when we talk about the health and wellness benefits of tennis, the cardio improvements, the balance, the strength training the coordination all of those wonderful things, but also the health benefits you know better sleeping, stress management being able to control weight,” said Samuel.

The Program has many events scheduled throughout May.

On May 25th, the program will host a tennis ‘funday’ along with adult and child activities at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Tennis Center.