Rio Rancho Update--Rio Rancho hosted their first annual Rock n Rally event on May 3, 2003 at Haynes Park. Laura Kennedy is the director of programs for Parks & Recreation for the city of Rio Rancho. This will be the first year that the city has hosted summer tennis lessons as well as team tennis for juniors ages 7-18. The Rock n Rally event drew close to 30 people to the park. On-site to help were Sue Jollensten and Chloe Shi Odom from the NNMTA. All tennis lessons are being held at Haynes Park and Community Center and will last for 8 weeks. Sara Stablein completed the instructor/coaches training on May 5, 2003 and believes that the tennis staff is not only competent, but that they will make the summer tennis program a blast for all participants. Anyone interested in participating in the summer tennis program should contact Laura at 891-7215.
Belen Update--Belen Parks and Recreation is organizing summer tennis lessons and summer team tennis. Barbara Grega and Regina Elkins are working with Belen Parks & Recreation and Sara Stablein in order to begin hosting USA Tennis Programs in the area. Regina Elkins has been the tennis point person in Belen for the last 30 years. This summer Regina will continue to organize and run the team tennis as well as the mid-school tennis in the fall. The P & R department hopes to introduce tennis to many new youth players this summer and send them on to Regina's team tennis. The Parks & Recreation department also hopes to host tournaments for junior players at the beginning and competitive levels this summer. The summer kick-off will be 1/2 day satellite tournament event for A, B, and C level players. The event will be June 7 at Belen High School and signups can be done at the time. More information will follow soon. For immediate questions, please contact Sara Stablein at 298-2259.