Tennis Briefs: ‘Tennis on Campus’ Start-Up Grant; ‘Road to Vegas’ for Top-Level Teams

Top League Teams From Across Florida on the ‘Road To Vegas’

Top-level tennis teams from Jacksonville, Tampa, Winter Park and Weston have already entered for a USTA League one-time weekend opportunity to win a USTA Florida League title and advance to Las Vegas.

High-level Florida men’s and women’s teams can now, without playing a local league, compete at the 2016 USTA Florida League “Road to Vegas” Open Sectional Championships on July 8-10 at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach.

Teams entered thus far:

Deerwood Country Club, Jacksonville (40 & Over Men)
Weston Hills Country Club (18 & Over Men)
Westchase Community Association, Inc., Tampa (40 & Over Men)
Winter Park Parks & Rec./Azalea Center (40 & Over women)

The men’s and women’s division-winning teams will receive a $500 team entry stipend to represent the USTA Florida Section at the 2016 USTA National Open League Championships in Las Vegas, Nev., on Sept.30-Oct. 2 at the Darling Tennis Center.

Men’s Divisions:
18 & Over Open — 1 singles, 2 doubles (min. 5 players, max. 10 players per team)
40 & Over Open — 3 doubles (min. 6 players, max. 10 players per team)

Women’s Divisions:
18 & Over Open — 1 singles, 2 doubles (min. 5 players, max. 10 players per team)
40 & Over Open — 3 doubles (min. 6 players, max. 10 players per team)

Registration is now open, with a deadline of June 24 for team commitments. Players must be 18 years or older to compete, and a local league fee of $25 per player will be charged. Players must have current USTA membership. The play format will be round robin flights with possible flight winner playoffs depending on the number of teams entered in each division. Regular scoring will be played in the first two sets, with a match tiebreak (first to 10 points) in lieu of a third set.

To register go to https://form.jotform.com/60395206987971. For questions, contact your USTA Florida local league coordinator, or Dona Garcia at garcia@ustaflorida.com or (386) 671-8936.

Start-Up Grants Available for USTA Tennis on Campus

NIRSA, the organization that comprises and supports leaders in collegiate recreation, has extended its partnership with the United States Tennis Association to offer financial support and resources to colleges and universities interested in starting a tennis sport club on their campuses.

Any new sport club teams that are created because of a Tennis On Campus Start-Up Grant are welcome to compete at the USTA Tennis on Campus Section Championship held in their region. Each school that is awarded a Tennis on Campus Start-Up Grant will be given up to $750 for the purpose of developing a new Tennis on Campus coed league or sport club. Only institutions that do not currently have a club tennis program are eligible to apply.

Schools offering a USTA tennis sport club program through recreational sports departments will enhance the college experience for recreational student athletes, promote a healthy lifestyle, increase social and networking opportunities for the student population, and increase the regular use of the campus’ tennis facilities.

“The USTA and NIRSA have had a 17-year partnership that has been extremely successful, and this revitalized program is poised to support club growth,” says NIRSA’s Nick Zumbrun. “Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and apply for a Tennis on Campus Start-Up Grant today.”

For more grant info go to http://nirsa.net/nirsa/2016/02/22/learn-all-about-the-usta-and-nirsa-tennis-on-campus-start-up-grant.