This summer, children in Reston, Virginia will enjoy new opportunities to get moving outside, thanks to six new kid-sized tennis courts in their community. 

The Reston Tennis Association recently celebrated the opening of these courts, which were made possible through a $17,000 grant from the U.S. Tennis Association (UTSA). In 2011, the USTA joined First Lady Michelle Obama’s fight against childhood obesity by committing to build or restore 3,000 tennis courts in communities across the country. USTA continues to support these new facilities through its “10 & Under” tennis program, which offers equipment and programming resources for beginner athletes.

In Reston, the USTA grant was used to convert two under-utilized courts into six courts designed specifically for young children. “Many of these children would otherwise have no opportunity to get the exercise and skills that come with learning tennis,” said Mary Conaway, manager of Reston Association’s tennis programs. “This grant will ultimately allow us to serve more children.” We are thrilled to have the right sized courts available in Reston for children to call their own!

From its beginning, residents of Reston have placed a priority on physical activity. Designed as Virginia’s first planned residential community in the 1960’s, Reston was ahead of the times in terms of creating a place where people were encouraged to be outdoors. Today, 55 miles of paved trails make it easy for families to walk or bike to schools, playspaces, and recreational facilities, including the new tennis courts and 15 outdoor pools.

Currently, the Reston Association tennis series reaches about 2,000 children each year through lessons and leagues. This is a mere fraction of the 750,000 kids that will participate in beginner tennis programs this year across the country, thanks to a collaboration between Let’s Move!, the Partnership for a Healthier America, and the U.S. Olympic Committee. As the national governing body for the sport of tennis, the USTA committed to expand its 10 & Under program to get more kids moving – and rally support for Team USA – in schools and communities across the country.

For more information on the commitment and to find a tennis court near you, visit: http://ahealthieramerica.org/#!/olympics