NJTL

The National Junior Tennis League will be re-branded as the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network, the USTA announced. With the new name and logo, the 40-year-old network of community tennis associations will continue its mission of developing the character of young people through tennis and education.

The re-brand will heighten awareness of NJTL initiatives and will also broaden the public’s understanding of the mission to instill in youngsters the values exemplified by Arthur Ashe throughout his life – humanitarianism, leadership, and academic excellence.

Founders Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder established NJTL in 1969. Since then, the NJTL network has grown to include over 550 chapters which serve over 220,000 youth annually. NJTL chapters, which vary in size and scope, can be found in 46 of the top 50 U.S. markets, making NJTL one of the USTA’s largest community-based initiatives. NJTL chapters are supported by the USTA through grants, awards, and various learning opportunities. NJTL participants have the opportunity to take part in a number of core programs, including the Tennis and Leadership Camp, the Arthur Ashe Essay and Art Contest, Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, Regional Rallies, a scholarship to the annual USTA Community Tennis Development Workshop, and low-cost insurance.

NJTLs are charged with providing free or low-cost programming for youth during out-of-school time that combine tennis and education to help keep kids safe, healthy and strong. Key NJTL initiatives include the Community Building Initiative, the Capacity Building Program, and the After-School Intermediary Project.

"The NJTL network is an important resource the USTA provides and a key USTA initiative in our effort to grow the game amongst America’s youth," said Kurt Kamperman, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. "It provides all children, regardless of their background, the opportunity to maximize their academic potential while learning a sport that can last a lifetime."

"This rebranding and name change will serve to raise awareness of NJTL’s emphasis on its educational opportunities, and augment the USTA’s desire to service America’s underserved youth through both educational and tennis-related activities," said Barry Ford, Director, Outreach and Advocacy, USTA.

The re-brand comes in conjunction with NJTL’s 40th anniversary, and NJTL chapters across the country will take part in a number of regional rallies throughout this summer.

The new brand identity is now being incorporated into all USTA materials, including newsletters, the USTA website, and other promotional mediums. Information on NJTL can be found at http://www.usta.com/NJTL

What is USTA/NJTL?

The USTA/National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) is a nation-wide network of community tennis organizations seeking to develop the character of young people through tennis and education. Founded in 1969 by Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell, and Sheridan Snyder, this growing network of tennis providers share similar values, ideals, and goals by:

* reaching out to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to play tennis

* instilling in youngsters the values of leadership and academic excellence

* giving all kids (regardless of income, race, gender) the opportunity to fully develop their tennis skills so they can derive a life time of enjoyment from the sport

NJTLs are unique because they offer a variety of on-court programming and also educational and life-skill components designed to enhance a player’s overall development. These educational components are diverse in nature, but can vary from things like mentoring, drug and alcohol counseling, to things like computer skills training, health and nutrition, and college preparation. The NJTL is a great way for kids to get exercise, make friends, and have fun in a team-oriented and safe environment.

This curriculum is offered at little or no cost to the participant. Many of the costs associated with running a program are decentralized by in-kind and monetary support from the USTA, allowing for local chapters/programs to provide high-quality programming for their constituents.

With over 520 registered chapters/programs throughout the nation and 200,000 participants aged 6 – 18, chances are there is a program in your community.

Benefits of Registering

Requirements

To register your community based tennis program, you must meet the following requirements:

* serve tennis to youth 6-18

* offer a free or low-cost curriculum

* have an educational component in addition to your on-court programming

Benefits

Registration is free. As long as you are approved to become an NJTL, there are many tangible benefits for your organization, instructors, and participants. Not only will you be officially associated with USTA -- a credible organization that has proven mission-driven programs and a network of knowledgeable leaders -- but you will also be eligible for the following:

Insurance

download the Directors & Officers Insurance brochure here .

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Other Grants, Programs, and Benefits

* Opportunities for Chapters/Programs

- Regional Rally Grant with banner & certificates

- NJTL of the Year Award

- Capacity Building Program

* Opportunities for Participants

- Arthur Ashe Essay Contest (AAEC)

- Tennis Leadership Camp (TLC)

* Opportunities for Instructors

- RCW’s

- Stipends to attend the CTDW

* Free or discounted equipment

* Annual Mailing with marketing materials and program information

* Grant Opportunities

* Limited Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day Tickets

* Ad-hoc Invitations to USTA sponsored events in your area

* Organizational Development

NJTL Programs & Applications

For NJTL Chapters and Programs

Regional Rallies

Established in 1988, the Rallies are one of NJTL’s longest running and most successful offerings. Each year, NJTL provides grants and equipment to selected Chapters/Programs that have the means to host a day or weekend tennis event extravaganza for NJTL participants in the local and neighboring areas. USTA/NJTL provides a Regional Rally Host Kit which helps the host site with planning and tournament details.

The Regional Rallies serve as both a reward for active Chapters and Programs, and an incentive for new communities to join the NJTL Network. The grants and equipment are available to chapters/programs that are active NJTLs and USTA members.

NJTL of the Year Award

The USTA continues its tradition of honoring outstanding program work in presenting the annual NJTL of the Year Award to NJTL chapters/programs that have demonstrated continued excellence in youth tennis programming. The award is open to those NJTLs that have conducted a program for a minimum of three consecutive years and is an active organizational member of the USTA.

Three (3) awards will be offered corresponding to the NJTL's organization budget level:

• Level 1: budget up to $50,000

• Level 2-3: budget between $50,000-$500,000

• Level 4-5: budget $500,000 and higher

National winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to the USTA’s Community Tennis Development Workshop.

Capacity Building Program

Often, mid-size NJTL chapters/programs seeking to expand their impact and reach into the community need a little guidance. Before they can provide more programming or take on a greater number of kids, they must first develop additional management capabilities. The Capacity Building Program is designed to provide long-term assistance to selected chapters that are committed to achieving significant qualitative and quantitative growth and to developing management capabilities necessary to achieve their goals.

Chapters/Programs are selected at the end of each year through a competitive application process.

Recreational Coach Workshops (RCWs)

An RCW is an on-court training program designed for tennis teachers and coaches working with players at the recreational level, and is ideal for training NJTL staff and volunteers. Each interactive, fun, 6-hour workshop is conducted by an outstanding certified tennis professional specially trained to effectively handle large groups and get kids to play tennis quickly using the QuickStart Tennis format. Additionally, NTJLs that host a successful RCW will receive a financial reimbursement for each attendee who completed the workshop.

NJTL Community Building Initiative

Through the work of its National Junior Tennis League (NJTL), the USTA received a large grant from The Ford Foundation and USTA Serves. The combined resources will fund the "Community Building through Tennis" initiative. The initiative uses select NJTL Chapters to bring together changing neighborhoods in ways that will enhance education, communication, economic opportunity and neighborhood stability.

The five NJTL chapters are:

- Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education; Philadelphia, PA

- Malivai Washington Kids Foundation; Jacksonville, FL

- Milwaukee Tennis & Education Foundation; Milwaukee, WI

- Tenacity, Inc; Boston, MA

- Tennis Memphis; Memphis, TN

Read Press Release

After-School Intermediary Partnerships

In a strategy that developed in late 2006, the USTA forged partnerships with two leading after-school intermediary organizations to enhance local partnerships that support and sustain the growth of the NJTL network. The partnerships rely on NJTL chapters to provide programming at middle and elementary schools city or county-wide where there are strong intermediary organizations and strong NJTL chapters already in place. The USTA brings valuable resources to the partnership including quality providers with capacity to reach a number of schools city-wide, technical assistance, training, discounted equipment, and in some cases, temporary cash investments.

For NJTL Participants

Arthur Ashe Essay and Art Contest

To help commemorate the legacy of humanitarian and tennis great Arthur Ashe, USTA/NJTL sponsors an annual essay and art contest asking entrants to respond to the quote "From what we get, we make a living; what we give, however, makes a life." 10 National essay winners receive an all-expense paid trip to New York to be guests at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, a daylong festival of kids’ tennis activities that includes interactive games, musical entertainment and free clinics. ARtwork is allowed for kids ages 12 and under. Art Contestant winners are not eligible for the grand prize, but will receive a commemorative plaque in their honor.

To participate in the Contest and to download the Contest Application, click here.

Tennis Leadership Camp (TLC)

The TLC is a wonderful opportunity for NJTL participants to experience an intense week of training, emphasizing individual skills development, physical fitness, proper nutrition, good sportsmanship and other healthy attitudes. At the Camp, kids will meet other kids that love tennis, train with experienced pros, participate in a career counseling night, interact with special guest speakers, and visit local area attractions. Created in 1984 to provide an educational as well as motivational tennis experience for NJTL participants who could not afford such an opportunity, the goal of the Camp is to provide NJTL participants a chance to be part of a life lasting tennis and social experience. The 2009 TLC location, is Denver, CO, and will be held from July 21 - 27, 2009.

Registration & Renewal

If you are a community-based organization that provides tennis programming to the community, you may qualify to become a CTA and/or NJTL. Since each network offers different benefits, if you qualify for both, we recommend taking the time to register for both. This opens your options for different grants, awards, and programs offered to both your organization and your constituents. Click here to learn more.

NJTL Best Practices

The following collection of best practices was created by the NJTL Committee of volunteers with the intention of sharing with the NJTL network their knowledge and experience, which in some cases amounts to more than 35 years of experience and several multi-million dollar non-profit organizations. The NJTL Committee and staff want to see the network grow. We aim to accelerate the growth rate by sharing experiences so the reader may learn from solutions that have worked for others that have come before them. Each chapter should be read as a stand alone discussion of a single topic from a single person’s perspective with relevant experience. Understanding that America is an incredibly diverse country full of communities that differ widely from each other, not every solution will work in every community. With this in mind we wrote from at least three different perspectives—that of the small and young chapter in a small community, a medium sized chapter in a larger city, and a large chapter in a major metro region.

To download a full version of the NJTL Best Practices, please click here.

For more information, contact the USTA Community Relations Manager in your area.