NEWS RELEASE

The Vero Beach High School Baseball team is having a great start to their busy season.  Having only one loss so far with a record of  10 and one, the Fighting Indians ball players are working hard.  Instead of hitting the beach when they finally have a day to themselves, a group of these hard working young men took to the courts last Saturday to volunteer with the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation.  Under the leadership of senior Conner Smith, underclassmen,  Drake Rodriguez, Kiernan Tetreault, Kyle Stenger, and David Enrico took over what is becoming tradition for the baseball team.  Eric Schulte, former VBHS Varsity catcher- now collegiate baseball player at South Florida State College, coordinated his teammates to assist the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation on court activities last year.   Grateful for the enthusiastic  assistance of the ball players,   MFCF Director of Tennis and Operations Alison Mays enlisted help again this year from the VBHS Varsity Coach Bryan Rahal.  “The children love to have the big kids out there on the court with them.  The boys’ enthusiasm and encouragement to the younger children is wonderful to experience!” said Mays.

Most of the baseball players helping have some tennis background, but their athleticism is always appreciated by the children participating.  The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation encourages this inspirational trade off.  The baseball players learn patience while earning community volunteer hours for their time on the courts.  MFCF has also initiated a mentoring program for middle school students.  These students assist with setting up and taking down equipment and participating in games and activities with the younger children during the events on court.  Volunteers may earn time participating in MFCF middle school tennis activities- trading hour for hour.   Taylor Cull and Gracie Norwood were both middle school mentors participating last Saturday where 32 children were registered to play in the Free Tennis Play Day.

USPTA Tennis Professional, Dean Mays kept the match play rolling while fellow professional, Fran Stewart, entertained on the game court.  The Boulevard Tennis Club generously donated the use of the courts for the children to have the experience of playing at a top notch tennis facility.  Thank to the generosity of Sue and Walt Rodman of the Boulevard, and the assistance of Boulevard Manager Joe Snailum, MFCF is able to provide the children of IRC with some some of the regions best youth tennis experiences.

The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, Kids on Court,  is finishing the final session of after school tennis at local elementary schools, while making final preparations to begin their Middle School Club Tennis League.  Middle School Club tennis involves players from Storm Grove, Gifford, Oslo, and Sebastian Middle Schools as well as Imagine of South Vero, Master’s Academy, and the IRC Homeschool Association.  Mays hopes to continue to work in years to come, with Coach Rahal as well as VBHS and SRHS Tennis Coaches  Ed Shanaphy and Fran Stewart, to utilize high school athletes to assist with on court programs for the good of all involved.

MFCF will be hosting the Futures Level Tournament at The Boulevard Tennis Club April 22- May 1, 2016. (The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships) Proceeds will go to The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation and will benefit the children of IRC.   Tickets to the event may be purchased at www.mfcf.eventbrite.com.  Be on the lookout for the Kids Day on Friday April 29^th,  as well as a Ladies Day and Pro Am events scheduled.  Come out and support your community!

 

The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Started in 2007and currently supports over 2100 children in 15 elementary schools and six middle schools in Indian River County, Fl by providing after-school exercise, nutritional and enrichment programs in a safe environment to prepare them for healthy, productive and successful lives.  The Foundation introduced the “Six Healthy Habits” in 2012 which are Get Sleep; Drink Water; Exercise Daily, Eat Healthy; Brush and Floss; Make Friends.”

For more information on the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation or any of our Kids on Courts tennis programs visit, www.mffkids.org or for information on Kids on Court Tennis programs or other after-school enrichments, contact Director of Tennis and Programs, Alison Mays at Alison@mffkids.org