APTA Board Member: Tina Kelly

Tina Kelly

Residence: Savannah, GA (since Dec. 2010), previously Sleepy Hollow, New York
APTA Board of Directors: May 2006 – present
Family: Husband, Bill, two stepdaughters, six grandchildren, and one Boston Terrier.

How long have you been playing platform tennis? I started playing when I was about 10. My father, Art Houlihan, was very active in platform tennis and on the APTA board during the 1970s, so paddle has always been a big part of my family. My older brother, Tom, played as a junior (and continues to play in Boulder, Colorado), and won three junior nationals, so I was always trying to keep up with him.

Have you ever won any major tournaments? I hate to admit it, but I think I hit my peak when I was 18. My partner and I won the 15-and-Under and 18-and-Under Nationals. Of course my husband might argue that our recent husband-wife club title is the most important tournament of all.

We know “Passing Shots: A Pictorial History of Platform Tennis” was just published. How did that project start? Rich Lombard and Bob Brown [from the Hall of Fame Foundation] approached me almost two years ago to create the sport’s first coffee table book. I thought it was a great idea. Since the HOFF had been unearthing so many terrific old photographs, draw sheets, and other historic material, it was the perfect time to pull it all together. A coffee table book is a tangible way for players to feel an excitement and connection to the sport. I’m hopeful that people unfamiliar with platform tennis will see the book and say, “Hey, this looks like fun. I should try it.”

What do you feel is your contribution to the APTA Board? I’ve been active in several arenas. My professional background is in writing, editing, and marketing, so I get to use those skills. I’ve been involved with branding, website development, writing articles, designing brochures and ads, producing an informational “Newcomer’s Guide,” marketing, working on material for tournament support, editing, and helping with whatever needs to be communicated to the membership.

What has been your favorite thing about being on the APTA Board? The teamwork that is involved. I guess it’s a given that if you love paddle, you love teamwork. I’m amazed about the amount of time that people volunteer and working under both Mark Fischl and Tim McAvoy has been terrific. It’s a pleasure to try to communicate my excitement about the sport to others.