Let the Gamification Begin!

April 8, 2016 | By Whitney Kraft
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I remember not too many years ago, coaches and tennis teaching pros commiserating over the lack of growth in our sport and the recurring comment was: “Those darn video games are killing our sport and kids think they’re actually playing (exercising) these virtual games.”

Well, kudos to USTA who has launched the best-in-class system that will track the progress of 10 & Under junior players as they advance from the Orange Ball, to the Green Ball, and then to Yellow Ball competition. They are calling the system Youth Progression.

Youth Progression, which should be a game-changer for youth tennis, was designed to create a greater experience for children beginning and developing in tennis competition. The pathway ensures young players, ages seven- to 10-years-old, will compete at appropriate levels of play as they progress through competitive stages based on age, participation and achievement.

With the innovative concept of applying gamification principles to tennis, the sport can’t lose! Gamification is the concept of applying game mechanics and game design techniques to engage and motivate people to achieve their goals.

The new system serves as a guide for coaches, parents and players to help ensure that kids ages 10 and under participate in events using the appropriate ball and court for their skill level.

A child can advance to another level by earning the required amount of virtual participation stars and trophies. Players will have to collect a combination of 20 stars and/or trophies to advance to the next level.

Players can collect stars for tournament participation, Junior Team Tennis participation and in some areas, Play Today participation. Additionally, players collect bonus trophies for winning a tournament and for reaching the final of a tournament.

“We are excited that the USTA has made the technology that now allows the Eastern Section to move toward gamification,” said USTA Eastern’s Senior Director of Competition Julie Bliss-Beal. “This system will personalize the players’ progress through tournaments and Junior Team Tennis and, most importantly, reinforce the importance of playing on the right size court with the correct ball and equipment for their skill level and age. We will be launching the new system Sept. 1. For more information, please visit Eastern.USTA.com.”

Gamification has proven kids and adults alike love a challenge and progressions, but at the same time, appreciate do-overs and a non-threatening environment.

Well, now tennis will provide the same, whereby the more kids play and the more they improve their skills, the more stars and trophies they earn enabling them to clear each level.

This is where players are bitten by the tennis bug! Close matches with unpredictable outcomes, new experiences and friends.

 

Players can track their progress on Tennis Link’s “My Player” page where participants will see how many more stars and trophies they need to acquire to reach the next level


Whitney Kraft
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USTA NTC

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