June Florida Tennis Grants; President’s Message — New Programs Attracting Players

5 Florida Tennis Organizations Receive More Than $5,000 in Grants

Daytona Beach, Kissimmee, Orlando, Tallahassee, and Wellington Organizations Recipients of Community Tennis Grants from USTA Florida Foundation

Community tennis organizations throughout the state of Florida received more than $5,000 in community tennis grants in the month of June from the USTA Florida Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association-Florida Section (USTA Florida).

Recipients of the five grants were organizations in Daytona Beach, Kissimmee, Orlando, Tallahassee, and Wellington (Palm Beaches area).

USTA Florida Foundation grants offer funding for youth tennis programs, adaptive tennis programs for those with special needs, community tennis programs in economically challenged areas, along with facility assistance in the renovation, refurbishment and building of quality public tennis facilities.

“Thank you so much to the USTA Florida Foundation for supporting our Summer and Fall youth tennis program,” said Marcia Bowen of the Orlando Community and Youth Trust, Inc. “We are excited to be able to continue this program!”

Since 2010, USTA Florida and the USTA Florida Foundation have awarded more than $1,000,000 in grants for tennis programs serving people of all ages and abilities throughout Florida.

USTA Florida Foundation grants in June:

Daytona Beach, Fla. — Embry-Riddle Tennis Camps
Grant: To support tennis camps at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Kissimmee, Fla. — Solivita Racqueteers
Grant: To start a Master’s Tennis (adult short court tennis) program for the community of Solivita

Orlando, Fla. — Orlando Community & Youth Trust Inc.
Grant: To support the Free Tennis Lesson Program during the summer and fall sessions

Tallahassee, Fla. — Buck Lake Elementary
Grant: To support an Elementary Physical Education Class Tennis Unit

Wellington, Fla. — Mirzadeh Tennis Academy
Grant: Equipment to support the Future Stars beginner program featuring 10 and Under Tennis equipment and smaller courts

The USTA Florida Foundation’s mission is “Changing Lives Through Tennis,” providing financial support through organizational grants that help Floridians of all ages and abilities improve their health and quality of life through the game of tennis. It is the USTA Florida Foundation’s belief that tennis provides opportunities for healthy social, emotional, physical and educational development, and encourages peer and family participation.

For more information on individual grants or for more information on the USTA Florida Foundation go to www.ustafloridafoundation.com.

USTA Florida President’s Column: To Promote and Develop Tennis for All

By Nancy Horowitz, USTA Florida Volunteer President

Our USTA Florida Section mission stated above is so meaningful, especially here in Florida. The most important part is for All.

Having such a diverse population here in Florida, we have a true variety of people who have an assortment of ideas that, when brought together, create an atmosphere that makes a difference on all levels. Working together to promote and develop tennis to people with various learning curves, ideas, and backgrounds is what makes Florida special.

April 8 was the groundbreaking for the USTA National Campus in the Lake Nona area of Orlando. What an exciting event. People from all over the country gathered to witness this exciting new beginning for American tennis.

The area will be developed on 63 acres with the projected number of tennis courts to be more than 100. All surfaces (except grass) will be available — 44 plexicushion courts, 32 hard-tru green clay courts, eight red clay courts, eight 36-foot courts, eight 60-foot courts, six indoor courts, and a one show court. It will include player pavilions with all amenities, and a tournament administration building with all the necessary areas of a first-class operation.

The University of Central Florida men’s and women’s collegiate varsity matches will be played on site. Growing and training are the main focus so that we can develop the next generation and future of American tennis.

Also the same week, the national USTA Annual Meeting took place in Boca Raton. Meeting new people from around the United States and sharing ideas and expertise, and the passion we all have for tennis, was rewarding.

We were asked to do a presentation about Florida to the USTA national Board of Directors, and they were most impressed with what Florida is doing in so many areas, including recreational play — kids entry-level tennis, Masters Tennis for older adults and beginning players, Social Sets for age 18-30 players, the 30-Love Millennial initiative, the new USTA Florida 10 and Under Youth Tournament Pathway, Tenis Para Todos (Tennis for Everyone, our Hispanic play initiative), Go Pro tennis tips, kids Team Tennis Challenges, our social media advances and website improvements, and on and on. All of the above happens because staff and volunteers work together to adapt to new ideas and make them a reality.

The philosophy of “do what you love” and “love what you do” makes things possible.

In case you were not aware, April was National Volunteer month, so I personally want to thank you and let you know how we appreciate everything you do for the USTA Florida Section.

You are special and help create the best section in the USTA family.