USTA New England awarded more than $120,000 in community tennis-related grants this spring. Organizations received grants to bolster their efforts to promote and develop the growth of tennis at the grass-roots level. Grants were awarded to organizations throughout New England, including those that promote tennis in local parks, public schools, USTA Jr. Team Tennis and multicultural participation.
"USTA New England annually awards grants to deserving programs and this year is no exception," USTA New England Executive Director Jeff Waters said. "We are thrilled to support these programs and initiatives that will truly impact thousands of lives across the section."
The organization’s grants will affect tennis in New England at all levels.
Several Community Tennis Associations will use funding to support programming at the grass-roots level. Jr. Team Tennis, which has enjoyed a steady rise in participation, will be a primary target for some of the grant-receiving organizations which plan to grow interest in participation in their local JTT leagues.
Grant money will also be used to bolster multicultural participation across New England. Sportsmen’s Tennis Club in Dorchester, Mass., The City of New Haven and the King Street Youth Center in Burlington, Vt. are among several organizations that have grant monies ear-marked for the recruitment and retention of tennis participants from multicultural backgrounds.
In New Haven, Conn., a multicultural participation grant awarded to Career High School helped to launch the school’s first-ever girls’ tennis team, which began varsity competition in the spring.
Director of Community Tennis Deirdre McCormack is confident that the funds will provide immediate results at the community level and is excited about the opportunity for the section’s Community Tennis Department to work closely with organizations - established and new - dedicated to delivering tennis programming.
"We’re honored to be able to present these grants to organizations who share our passion and commitment to tennis," said McCormack "I have no doubt that the funds will be used to grow tennis programming and afford every resident the opportunity to participate."