TENNIS
VS&F
Tennis
A Lifetime Sport
Vermont Sport & Fitness is Rutland’s premier tennis club with 20+ leagues each week and over 150 active players and growing. We have clinics, leagues and fun events designed for any level player from the most beginner to the most advanced. When you join Vermont Sport & Fitness one of our Professionals will go out on the court with you and find out just what your level is and what you are looking for. We specialize in getting everyone matched up with the correct level group for both their ability and social enjoyment. You do not have to worry about finding a game, that’s our job!
If you are an advanced player looking for competition, Dan Doenges can connect you with our top players and groups and USTA Teams. At Vermont Sport & Fitness, we set the standard for tennis in our region. But most of all, we provide a way to get exercise in a fun and inviting atmosphere.
Use the tabs below to explore all of our tennis offerings!
TENNIS CLINICS
Weekly 3.5 Tennis Clinics are held Thursdays 10:30 am – Noon (during the fall, winter & spring) and Saturdays 9-10:30 am (year round). Participants limited to 12. Held rain or shine.
Click here to register up to seven days in advance.
Non-members are also required to pay in advance to reserve a spot.
WHY PRIVATE TENNIS LESSONS?
Private tennis lessons are the best way to improve your game. With private lessons you can you build your game no matter what your starting point. Whether it’s your first time picking up a racquet or you are a seasoned player, our certified tennis professionals have years of experience teaching all levels and ages.
Through proper instruction, Vermont Sport & Fitness Tennis Professionals can improve any and all areas of your game. Also they can evaluate technique that may be incorrect and help you break any bad habits. It’s never too late to start taking tennis lessons the benefits of this amazing game can be enjoyed by people in all stages of life!
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH A TENNIS PRO
By working with a tennis professional, you’ll find yourself being challenged on a constant basis. Embracing these challenges and using your mental fortitude to tackle each task. In addition, during each session you will gain more confidence in your game and more confidence in yourself as a player. These elements will rapidly mature your skills and help you become a better and more well-rounded player.
ROB PURDY- TENNIS PRO
SNAPSHOT
Experience, friendship, fun, and results. As Head Tennis Pro, Rob is the perfect package, suited for anyone and everyone who loves tennis. If you like self-improvement, Rob is the best instructor you could ask for.
MORE ABOUT ROB
Rob Purdy is the VS&F Head Tennis Professional and Head Coach of the Castleton State College Women’s Tennis Team. A native of Rutland, Purdy is a a graduate of Lyndon State College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and played four years of Varsity tennis.
Rob has coached some of Vermont’s best junior players and was recognized as coach of the year for the Marble Valley League as well as the NAC. He has also been named NAIA Region 10 Coach of the Year four times. He coached the Mount Saint Joseph High School team to two state championships. Rob has been with us since 1997.
Rob has an amazing ability to work with any player at any level. When you work with Rob you are guaranteed to get the focused attention you need to improve your game and get the most out of your time on court. Some of Rob’s success comes from the fact that he is not afraid of the details and the fundamentals of the game. He is always mixing up his lessons to provide a variety of drills to keep you coming back for more.
Much of the tennis success in Rutland County over the last 20 years can be traced back to Rob who has put his heart and soul into developing the area’s junior players, from their first day on court until they graduate from high school. His adult clinics are known county wide and his love of the game is infectious. If you get a chance to work with Rob you will leave feeling more connected to your game and anxious to get back on court as soon as possible.
SUMMER 2024 LEAGUE & CONTRACT SCHEDULES
(Password is “Tennis” with a capital T.)
| Monday | |
| Kraut Contract | 9:00-10:30 a.m. |
| 3.0+/- Open Play | 12:00-2:00 p.m. |
| Doenges Contract | 4:00-5:30 p.m. |
| Reddy Contract | 4:00-5:30 p.m. |
| Monday Night Doubles | 5:30-7:30 p.m. |
| Men’s 4.0 Singles | 7:30-9:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | |
| Miller League | 8:30-10:00 a.m. |
| Mixed Doubles | 10:00-11:30 a.m. |
| Sloane Contract | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
| Mixed Singles | 5:00-6:30 p.m. |
| Men’s 4.0 Singles | 6:30-8:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | |
| 3.0 +/- Open Play | 12:00-2:00 p.m. |
| Louras League | 4:00-6:00 p.m. |
| Women’s Doubles Contract | 5:30-7:00 p.m. |
| Men’s 4.0 Doubles | 6-8/7-8:30 p.m. |
| Mixed 3.0 Doubles | 7:00-8:30 p.m. |
| Thursday | |
| Thursday Night Doubles | 5:30-7:00 p.m. |
| Friday | |
| Early Birds | 7:00-8:30 a.m. |
| Men’s 30+ Doubles | 9:00-10:30 a.m. |
| Reddy Contract | 9:00-10:30 a.m. |
| Savage Contract | 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. |
| 3.0+/- Open Play | 12:00-2:00 p.m. |
| Bragg Contract | 4:30-6:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | |
| Women’s Doubles | 9:00-10:30 a.m. |
REGISTRATION—January 9th – March 13th, 2024
Registration is now open for the Winter 2024 session of VS&F Junior Tennis Academy. Sign up here to reserve your spot – they fill up fast. Then bring in a Signed Registration Form on your first day.
Call Vermont Sport & Fitness at (802) 775-9916 to learn more about our junior tennis programs from one of our Tennis Professionals. We specialize in working with first time junior tennis players from ages 7-14 years old.
GOALS FOR OUR JUNIOR TENNIS PLAYERS
At the VS&F Junior Tennis Academy our main goal for our players is to have fun learning the sport of tennis. We believe that kids always reach their highest potential in a sport if they love what they are doing. By teaching them tennis through games and fun the kids will enjoy a sport that they can take with them for the rest of their lives.
For the younger kids they will learn age appropriate skills and body control in a fun and positive environment. The older groups the players will be developing skills that will allow them to compete in fun events and matches. In addition believe that VS&F Junior Tennis Academy is a great program for any kid at any level and we would love to invite you to join our growing youth players.
Kids (ages 7-9)
This age group is a mix of continual development of agility, team-work, and hand-eye coordination while also beginning to develop finer skills and fun games.
Youth (ages 10-14)
This is a very important stage where kids develop their skills, emphasizing technique and focus, while still being fun. They also will learn how to play the game and a sense of personal achievement.
SUMMER TENNIS CAMP JUNE 24th – AUG 8th, 2024
Register online now – limited spots available.
Or download and mail in our registration form.
Call 802-775-9916 or email vtsportandfitness@gmail.com to learn more about Vermont Sport & Fitness Summer Tennis Camp in Rutland, VT.
LEARN TENNIS AND HAVE FUN!
We invite you to join us for a week or for the summer, for loads of tennis, swimming and fun fitness activities. VS&F Summer Tennis Camp offers the best in professional instruction at one of New England’s premiere tennis and fitness facilities, including 4 outdoor and 3 indoor tennis courts, swimming pool, and state-of-art fitness facilities.
This is a classic camp where kids can be kids and enjoy the summer. With kids of all levels but mostly beginners from all over the country they can make new friends and memories that last a lifetime.
For ages 6-16, all ability levels welcome.
Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, June through August. With Head Tennis Pro Rob Purdy.
Register in advance. Limited enrollment.
$129/week Ages 6-16
See you this summer!
Rates:
- $25 per person
- Up to 2 hours of play
- Call (802) 775-9916 to reserve
Pickleball Courts:
- Six indoor pickleball courts
- Portable pickleball nets
Tennis Courts:
- Four outdoor Har-Tru (clay) courts
- Three professionally-lit indoor courts
Benefits of Tennis
Many sports offer great fitness results, but tennis stands out because it’s a lifetime sport that can provide you with numerous long-term health benefits. A sedentary lifestyle can contribute greatly to the development of negative health conditions. Playing more may be very beneficial. Playing moderately vigorous tennis at least three hours a week reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, strengthens muscles, and increases coordination.
“In addition to improving neural connections and developing new neurons, studies show that exercises that require a lot of thinking — such as tennis — can actually improve brain function in ways that aid memory, learning, social skills and behavior.”
 
Health Fitness Revolution – April 10, 2015
The largest benefit of all is that you get to play with friends and family. As we are learning these life long friendships and connections could be the true fountain of youth.
