And he did it again! Tennis enthusiast Gianluca Audia (age 14) believes that everyone should be able to play tennis, and with this passion, Gianluca created Swing Into Spring, a tennis event benefiting Buddy Up Tennis. Gianluca wowed us in 2018: As a result of his 2018 efforts, both the Buddy Up Fitness and Buddy Up Tennis programs expanded to the Upper Valley communities in June and September, respectively. On April 28th, Gianluca held the second Swing Into Spring to continue support for Buddy Up Tennis, create more awareness and bring the community together. Once again, the Swing Into Spring Round Robin was an incredible success, generating $8,000 for the Upper Valley location!
It was so exciting to witness an event where our Athletes could participate and join in the fun. Our Buddy Up Tennis Athletes partnered with Round Robin participants in tennis activities and a fitness challenge, showcasing what we do during our Buddy Up Tennis and Buddy Up Fitness clinics. The Upper Valley Athletes then had an opportunity to show the participants what they have been working on weekly at Buddy Up Tennis, via an exciting Athlete Star Level Showcase! This was definitely an event highlight for Gianluca, who said, “From this, we hoped to show participants what they are supporting in their own community. This was definitely the most memorable moment of the event!”
Round Robin participants joined the Buddy Up Tennis and Buddy Up Fitness Athletes on the courts for tennis and fitness activities!
A doubles rematch concluded the event’s Buddy Up Tennis activities, and Athlete David Pearce and Former RVC Tennis Director Andrew Gunberg played against Gianluca and Founding Athlete Will Gibson. The two doubles teams had squared off on the courts at last year’s event, and a rematch was in order!
The Doubles rematch between Andrew Gunberg and David Pearce vs. Will Gibson and Gianluca Audia.
We would like to recognize our Lead Sponsor, Mascoma Bank, and our In-Kind and Silent Auction Sponsors, including IMG Academy, River Valley Club, Top Notch Resort, Simon Pearce, the Boston Red Sox, Arc Mechanical, Boloco, and King Arthur Flour.
As a regular Buddy at the Buddy Up Tennis Upper Valley clinics, Gianluca was able to share a glimpse into the clinics with his round robin participants. His favorite part of Saturday mornings at Buddy Up Tennis is “…being part of the amazing energy created in the clinics!”
The Upper Valley community has welcomed our program and our Athletes with open arms. Gianluca has helped build those connections and contacts through his Swing into Spring Event, in which he partnered with both the River Valley Club and Positive Tracks, a local organization that helps kids “sweat for good,’” to plan and execute the event.
Thank you to Gianluca, our Upper Valley Team of Athletes, Buddies, Coaches, and Coordinator, and the entire Upper Valley community for a memorable event and more “amazing energy” on the courts and in the gym through Buddy Up Tennis and Buddy Up Fitness in the Upper Valley!
Click HERE to check out how much fun we had on the courts in Upper Valley at the Upper Valley Swing Into Spring Fundraiser!