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WTT Philadelphia Freedoms

Mayor Michael Nutter and Billie Jean King Hosted Freedoms Ball Kid Tryouts in Philadelphia on June 8

June 9, 2011 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Philadelphia Freedoms News Release


Philadelphia, PA (June 8, 2011) - Calling all ball kids! The City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Freedoms of the World TeamTennis (WTT) Pro League got into the swing by hosting Philadelphia tryouts for ball kids today, Wednesday, June 8, at the Parkside Evans Playground tennis courts, 5290 Parkside Ave. (near the Mann Music Center)/Fairmount Park for the 2011 summer season.

The Philadelphia Freedoms and the City of Philadelphia officials invited all tennis-loving kids and teens, ages 10 to 16, to participate in the tryout. Participants were judged based on speed, agility, reaction time, throwing and basic tennis knowledge. Selected ball kids will be a part of a prestigious group that will have the opportunity to participate at Freedoms home matches during this summer's World TeamTennis Pro League events at the Pavilion at Villanova University. The Philadelphia Freedoms are presented by Beneficial Bank and hosted by Abington Health.

Selected kids will get to see stars from the world of tennis up close. The first home match is July 6 against the Washington Kastles starring Venus Williams. As a bonus, each ball kid receives one complimentary Philadelphia Freedoms' tennis ticket for every match he or she works.

Celebrity judges included Mayor Michael A. Nutter, famed tennis great and owner of the Freedoms, Billie Jean King, and CBS3 sports anchor Beasley Reece. The World TeamTennis Pro League was co-founded by Billie Jean King in 1974. Also on hand to facilitate the tryouts were Freedoms head coach Pascal Collard and Assistant Coach Josh Cohen.

"Joining Billie Jean King and her Philadelphia Freedoms team as a ball kid is a rare opportunity for any young person in the Philadelphia area," said Mayor Nutter. "They can be part of professional tennis, see world-class players at court level, and keep the traditions of this wonderful sport alive in Philadelphia, the home of one of the original teams in World TeamTennis."

"I am thrilled to join with Mayor Nutter and Philadelphia's Department of Parks and Recreation in a new partnership to bring the Philadelphia Freedoms and our exciting ball kid program to kids in the City," said Billie Jean King. "Tennis opened many doors for me as a young woman and I am confident that the tennis programs offered through Philadelphia playgrounds and rec centers can offer their participants similar opportunities."

For the first time in its 12-year history, there were two tryouts: one in the city and the other in the suburbs. The suburban tryout was held on Saturday, June 4, at the King of Prussia Mall outside of Macy's. These events are the kickoff to an exciting summer season of tennis and a dynamic partnership between the City of Philadelphia -- through the Office of the Mayor and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation -- and the Philadelphia Freedoms.



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