Viera’s Playmate iGenie a Finalist at Tennis Industry Innovation Challenge

Playmate Ball Machines’ iGenie, based in Viera, Fla., is a finalist in the inaugural Tennis Industry Innovation Challenge, held during the annual Tennis Owners & Managers (TOM) Conference on Monday, March 27, 2017, in Orlando.

The iGenie allows tennis players to select their level, shots they want to work on, and direction of the shots — all programmed into the unit. Players and coaches also can also create up to seven distinct drills to seven positions across the court with a drill restart delay to allow the player to get back to the baseline after finishing a drill at the net.

Other finalists are Billie Jean King’s Eye Coach, based in Mount Pleasant, S.C.; Essential Tennis of Milwaukee, Wis.; Laykold Masters Gel from Advanced Polymer Technology (APT) of Harmony, Pa.; Tennibot of Auburn, Ala.; and Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) system, based in Fairfield, Conn.

The finalists will present their innovative product or service to a “Shark Tank”-like panel of judges on March 27 in Orlando at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort.

“We are thrilled with both the quantity and quality of our Innovation Challenge applicants and finalists,” says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer.

The winner of the Tennis Industry Innovation Challenge will receive $1,000, a national news release to approximately 2,000 media outlets with a potential audience of 30 million consumers, coverage in Tennis Industry magazine, a commemorative plaque, a membership in the TIA, and other benefits.

For more information on the Tennis Industry Innovation Challenge or TOM Conference visit www.TheTOMConference.com.

Winter Park to Host Tennis Fundraiser for La Amistad, Mental Illness Treatment

The 27th Annual La Amistad Fundraiser, which raises money through tennis to enhance the quality of life for adults with chronic mental illnesses, will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Interlachen Country Club in Winter Park, including round robin play, a silent auction and more.

“We have a fun day planned with morning and afternoon tennis, players luncheon and ending with an evening silent auction and cocktail reception,” says organizer Mike Dombrowski.
 
Founded in 1970, La Amistad Foundation, Inc., helps maintain a community on a 15-acre campus where individuals have the opportunity to live with dignity and independence as they pursue leisure activities, social relationships and meaningful work. La Amistad Foundation does business as Lakewood Center, a long-term residential treatment facility for adults with chronic mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, bipolar illness, autism and depression.

For more information or to register for the event go to www.laamistad.org/events/tennis-silent-auction.