For Immediate Release

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Media Contact:

Carley Allensworth,

Director of Communications

Phone: 309-674-8730

Email address: carley@communityfoundationci.org

Annual Jack Sweney Youth Tennis

Tournament and Carnival Happening on July 21st

PEORIA - July 20, 2022 – The Peoria Park District will host the Annual Jack Sweney Youth Tennis Tournament and Carnival on Thursday, July 21 starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Bradley Park Tennis Courts to conclude the 2022 program.


Four series of lessons have occurred since June 4th for children ages 7-14. The lessons were free and located in Bradley Park. Over the past sixteen years of existence, the program has served over 1,800 Peoria-area kids, who have not only learned more about the game of tennis, but have also earned a complimentary t-shirt, racquet and sleeve of tennis balls.


"At the end of third week of lessons, each child receives a new tennis racquet and a can of tennis balls to keep," stated Scott Loftus, Superintendent of Recreation for the Peoria Park District. "This ensures they have the tools to keep playing the game long after their 4 weeks of lessons," Loftus continued.


The tournament and carnival concludes the tennis program made possible thanks to a grant from the family of tennis advocate Jack Sweney and the Community Foundation of Central Illinois. The objective of this program is to reach many of the at-risk youth in Peoria with the opportunity to learn and play the sport of tennis, and promote it as a lifetime sport.   


"We are proud to continue our partnership with the Peoria Park District to help support Mr. Sweney's wish to provide educational and life experiences to Peoria's youth through the instruction of tennis," states Mark Roberts, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois. 


Since inception, the Sweney Peoria Youth Tennis Fund has made 14 grants totaling over $46,000.

About the Community Foundation of Central Illinois

Established in 1985, the Community Foundation of Central Illinois is a philanthropic resource committed to connecting people who care with causes that matter. For more information, please call 309-674-8730, email carley@communityfoundationci.org or visit www.communityfoundationci.org

About the Peoria Park District

Public stewards of nearly 9,000 acres of park and greenspace and another 185 buildings, the Park District’s mission is “To enrich life in our community through stewardship of the environment and the provision of quality recreational and leisure opportunities.” To learn more, please visit peoriaparks.org.

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