Platform Tennis arrives in Switzerland; facility hosts an R. J. Reilly paddle camp

The gospel of platform tennis continues to spread beyond the borders of the good old USA. R.J. Reilly recently completed three new platform tennis courts in conjunction with European Platform Tennis AG (just outside Zurich). The Sportcenter Stork decided to complement its tennis and squash courts with three new Reilly All-Aluminum Courts. The courts are ideally sited for viewing, as they are placed inside a small stadium which allows spectators to watch play from all sides. They can simultaneously take in the beautiful surroundings in this glorious Alpine setting.

The club hosted a grand opening of the courts in which many members and local sports enthusiasts watched the game played for the first time. Following the exhibition the guests tried it themselves. Jim Reilly, Vice- President of Sales and Marketing of R. J. Reilly, paired up with accomplished player and Reilly court builder Donald Bleasdale to demonstrate the game. Three German players from the Tennis Club Gaufelden (which boasts two other Reilly courts) made the trip across the border to make it a truly international exhibition. Wolfgang, Nadine and Simone’s mastery of the sport in three short seasons since they’ve picked it up provided encouragement to the Swiss players who planned to give it a try. Reilly and Bleasdale spent the rest of the weekend helping future international paddle stars of all ages learn the rules, understand the wires, and become the newest aficionados of the sport we call paddle.

For U.S. paddle players looking to improve their game in a spectacular and romantic setting, R.J. Reilly has exciting news. R.J. Reilly’s fall paddle camp will be hosted at the new Swiss paddle center during the first two weeks in October. Local paddle converts will also have the opportunity to learn the fine points of the game from some of the sport’s finest teaching professionals including Hank Irvine, Bob Callaway, and Gary Horvath. The first Swiss/German/U.S. International Platform Tennis Tournament is scheduled to take place at the end of the camp sessions.

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine Vol.2 Issue 1, September, 2000