Building on the continued success of a unique program, the BNP Paribas Open, along with BNP Paribas and reBounces will again hold “Rally, Roundup & Recycle,” a tennis ball recycling competition among tennis clubs, school tennis teams, community tennis programs and other tennis organizations in the Southern California area, it was announced today by Steve Simon, tournament director. This program, now in its fourth year, is the first of its kind in the United States.
The goal of the competition, which runs from December 1, 2011 to February 14, 2012, is to collect more than 125,000 used tennis balls; the amount collected in the 2010-2011 campaign was more than 100,000. Last year’s push also saw 20 clubs across Southern California participate. The California Social Tennis Network donated the most used balls, followed by The Billie Jean King Tennis Center and the Palm Desert Tennis Club.
Once again, all three winners will be honored on Stadium Court alongside representatives from BNP Paribas, reBounces and the Indian Wells Tennis Garden prior to the night session on Monday, March 12 during the 2012 BNP Paribas Open. The prize package for the first, second and third-place organizations includes access to the BNP Paribas luxury suite at the tournament for that day and night session and VIP parking passes for 16, eight and four guests, respectively. Additionally, all clubs, excluding the three top winners, who donate at least 1,000 balls will be entered into a lottery for the chance to win four box seats for the same day session.
Southern California tennis organizations can start signing up Thursday, December 1 and collecting old tennis balls and filling boxes with 250 to 500 balls.
“The ‘Rally, Roundup & Recycle” competition is a great way to encourage tennis clubs and fans to join our efforts in recycling used tennis balls,” said Sauveur Menella, Vice-President Marketing, BNP Paribas. “Social responsibility is important to BNP Paribas and this initiative is one of the many ways we are succeeding in that effort.”
“The success of last year’s ‘Rally, Roundup & Recycle’ program is a testament to the recycling efforts BNP Paribas and its partners do,” said Simon. “We look forward to increasing this year’s participation and results.”
The BNP Paribas Open, BNP Paribas and reBounces will also once again collect used tennis balls on-site during the two weekends of the tournament (March 10-11 and March 17-18) by offering patrons that bring at least six used tennis balls a free can of tennis balls. Since its initial inception at the tournament, more than 40,000 tennis balls have been collected on-site and recycled.
To sign up please contact Tom Fey at [email protected] or call 760-200-8200. For more information, visit www.bnpparibasopen.com.