WESTBORO, MA – For most New Englanders August means finding an excuse to head to the beach.
But for hundreds of tennis players, championships will be on the line against the backdrop of the August heat.
League and Jr. Team Tennis players will hit the courts across New England for the chance to advance to the next round.
The League district championships begin Aug. 5 and will run through Aug. 8. The winners of the respective district championships will move on to challenge for a Section title Aug. 27-29 in South Hadley, MA.
From there, teams head to the National championships to represent the New England section, where they will look to become the latest New England team to be crowned National Champions. In 2009, the Eastern Mass. Senior Women’s 3.0 team captured a national title in Tucson, AZ.
The JTT state championships begin July 30, with teams vying for a shot at a sectional championship and an eventual trip to the national playoffs in Arizona.
"The state championships are certainly exciting time for everyone involved," said Deirdre McCormack, USTA New England’s Director of Community Tennis. "Naturally, the players will have the excitement of competing for a championship, but it’s also rewarding for all the parents and volunteers who gave their time to coach and coordinate leagues. We’re excited about having several great locations for the events."
The Vermont state champions will be crowned July 30-31 at Davis Park in Shelburne. The Connecticut state championships will take place Aug. 10-11 at Cheshire Academy in Cheshire. Eastern Mass. plays Aug. 7 at Cedardale in Haverhill, while Western Mass. plays Aug. 7-8 at Forest Park min Springfield. The Racket and Fitness Center in Portland will host the Maine state championships on Aug. 4. The New Hampshire state championships are at memorial Field in Concord on Aug. 5. Rhode Island’s title will be won at Slater Park in Pawtucket on Aug. 10.
New England JTT teams have improved steadily each year at the national championships.
In 2009, Team BJTA of South Hampton, N.H, representing the USTA New England section, captured third place overall at the USTA Jr. Team Tennis 18 and Under Intermediate National Championships, held at the Mobile Tennis Center.
The South Hampton team defeated another USTA New England section entry, McIntire Tennis Camps of Springfield, MA to capture third place.