F
ebruary was National Racquetball Month. Connie
how that structure is built. It's up to them as to how
stellar job in presenting ways to showcase our sport
solidly they are willing to construct this love of the
in February and beyond.
game using their own blueprint of what it can mean to
Visit the USA Racquetball web site at
them in their lives. It 's up to us to help them along the
http://www.usra.org/RacquetbaiiMonth.aspx for all the detai Is.
way. And we then come back around to programming
This issue, along with all the others, can and should be
and National Racquetball Month to assist with initia-
used to bring women, and men, and kids to the sport. We're working on ways to make subscriptions to
Racquetball readily available to recreational players through the clubs. In the meantime, share your copy at your club-
tives year 'round. Did I mention there's great information at
http://www.usra.org/RacquetbaiiMonth.aspx? I'm pleased this issue presents a focus on women.
carry it in your bag and bring it out at league gatherings
In my September/October 2007 article (perhaps a bit
after the matches. Show it to women, to anyone, and talk
more accessible than the one Jim mentioned from
about this sport. Andy Pawlowski and I were talking recent-
1979!), I recognized a number of women who con-
ly about this concept of getting and keeping people in the
tribute time, energy, resources and heart to the sport.
sport. What can you say to new players to encourage them
In this issue, we showcase several "Racquetball Women
to take the leap from that very first exposure to the next,
of 2009." Between that 2007 article (which still
and the next? What can you say to someone who played
applies, by the way .. .they 're all still going strong) and
years ago and says, "Gee, I used to play in college"? What
this issue's message, while I still can't hope to menti on
can you say to convince a woman to try out the sport for all
every one of the partners who give so much, I'll dive
it can bring to her life?
into a free fall of more women to thank ...
To understand what to say, we first have to contemplate
Club owners like Jan Stelma; Board members
the various motivations for people to play the sport in the
Merijean Kelley and Kim Russeii-Wasel enchuk; grass-
first place. Now THAT's a tough one, because there are so
roots coaches/promoters Kim Roy, Debbie Tisinger-
many benefits to playing and because each person's rea-
Moore, Jo Shattuck; World Seniors diva Paula Sperling;
sons for wanting to play are so very individual. Mary Lyons coined the phrase: 'Fitness and Fun , Rolled
newest USAR Women's Committee members Carmen Alatorre-Martin, JoAnna Reyes, Terry Rogers and Tara
into One .' Andy and I agree that getting attached to the
Smith; angels for the Juniors, like Jody Nance, Cheryl
sport starts with a foundation of fun and camaraderie.
Gudinas, Jen Meyer and Joyce Parsons; USAR Staff
Players coming off the court for the first time say, "I never
members Heather Fender, Heather lzzett, Terri Morse,
knew this could be so much fun!" So to offer an analogy of
and Melody Weiss; eNewsletter editor Mary Meredith;
constructing a building: the first brick must be laid, and
tournament volunteers like Nancy Hodges, Karen Denu,
that has to be fun and camaraderie. Then the next bricks
Kay McCarthy, Nidia Funes and so many, many others;
are laid on top of that - competition, fitness, weight loss,
nine State Presidents: Kelley Beane , Debbie Bryant ,
stress relief , social interaction/belonging, spouse/friend/fam-
Juliet Campbell , Laurel Davis, Connie Martin, Linda
ily activity, cross training, business networking, meeting
Moore, Marcia Richards, Aimee Ruiz and Peggine
new and interesting people from all walks of life. Each per-
Tellez .
son takes a trowel and lays his/her next bricks, but fun and
Much gratitude for all you bring to racquetball!
We hope you find this issue useful for your own enjoy-
camaraderie seem to be the very basis of that first brick in
ment and as a visibility tool for racquetball. .. pull it out
the structure, the common denominator no matter what
of your bag and start talkin'!
comes next.
4
Each person's longevity in the sport will depend upon
Martin, Programmer Extraordinaire, did her usual
WINTER 2010 I USA RACQUETBALL