USTAF Awards Grants to 105 NJTLs, USTA Grow the Game Grant, NDL Summer Opportunities, Webinars, and more!

USTAF Awards Cycle 1 Grants to 105 NJTL Chapters

For the 2021 Cycle 1 Grant, the USTA Foundation (USTAF) has awarded grants totaling $1,070,000 to 105 NJTL chapters to support 60,000 youth. With 24,000 returning and 36,000 new players, nearly 30,000 participants are estimated to pick up a racquet for the first time. The chapters will offer more than 56,000 hours of education, 95,000 hours of tennis, and anticipate achieving more than 60% average retention.

USTA Grow the Game Grant

Tennis is one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. To help continue to drive the momentum and to help organizations manage this opportunity, a new USTA Grow the Game Grant is now available. It’s intended to encourage and recognize local organizations who are actively engaging new and returning players into the sport in a safe and meaningful way. Grants can be used to help with coaching costs, tennis balls, teaching equipment (tubes, carts, hoppers), cleaning/sanitizing efforts, or marketing.

At the present time, $3 million dollars in Grow the Game Grant funding is available. Funding will be determined based on a variety of factors, including the number of new and returning players an organization provides in eligible programs between May 1st and November 1st, 2021.

This is a competitive grant and applications, verified program information, and completed Program Participant Validation Forms will be evaluated in the order in which they are received. The deadline for applications is October 1, 2021.

To learn more and apply, click here!

Wheelchair Tennis Webinar - June 16, 2021

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the vision and direction of USTA Wheelchair Tennis in an upcoming zoom webinar on June 16, 2021 at 2:00 PM EDT.

Hear from Jason Harnett, USTA National Manager and Head Coach - Wheelchair, and others, addressing USTA's continuing integration of Wheelchair Tennis programming and its potential impact on the NJTL network.

A calendar invite was sent to the Executive Director and primary contacts on file. You may also access the webinar via this link, and entering the following passcode: 229171.

National Day of Learning Summer Opportunities

In follow up to the virtual National Day of Learning presented by the Carol Kimmelman Athletic and Academic Campus on May 14, USTAF has compiled suggestions for summer programs and internships for teens:

To view the flier with more information, click here.

To view all videos from the National Day of Learning, click here.

To view the landing page with additional content, click here.

Thank you again to all who attended the virtual National Day of Learning. Here’s to a productive summer for everyone!

In Case You Missed It! Watch USTA Safe Play Presentation Recording

It’s not too late to learn more about the USTA's Safe Play Program, the U.S. Center for Safe Sport, the process and requirements. This presentation was held on May 25, 2021 and led by Lauren Tracy, USTA Director, Strategic Initiatives.

To view the recording, click here!

AAPI Month Panel Recording

On behalf of the USTA's Asian American Business Resource Group (BRG), a panel discussion was held on May 26, 2021 to cap off AAPI Heritage Month. The discussion featured novelist and AAPI Studies professor Sameer Pandya, and professional figure skater-turned entrepreneur and activist Michelle Hanabusa. To view their full bios, click here.

The panel discussion focused on opportunities to celebrate and promote AAPI cultures, strategies organizations should consider in order to increase AAPI representation and how to best support the AAPI community given the recent increase in hate crimes against them.

To view the recording, click here.

2021 NJTL Essay Contest Reminder

As the 2020-21 school year comes to a close, please consider collecting essay entries from your NJTL student participants before the start of summer. The 2021 USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest application process opened on March 24, 2021 and the deadline for submitting entries is July 21, 2021.*

NJTL student participants are invited to write their essays answering the following question:

Robert Ryland was an accomplished tennis player and coach. He was known for seeing the possibilities in those he coached and within himself. Mr. Ryland was the first African -American professional tennis player and the first African-American to play in the NCAA National Championships.

What facts about his story inspire you to break boundaries and excel in school, sports, and to follow your dreams? What are your possibilities?

NJTL Chapters must submit all entries via the USTA Foundation Funding and Program Portal no later than 12:00 PM EDT on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.

*NJTL Chapters are subject to the terms and conditions of the 2021 USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest.

4-Star NJTL Chapter Spotlight

We are highlighting our 4-Star chapters for their efforts across the country serving thousands of kids in the communities they impact. This week's 4-Star spotlight is shining on Tenacity based in Boston, MA.

Tenacity

Tenacity’s programs provide a Pathway to Post-Secondary Success through a combination of academic enrichment, mentoring, family engagement, and tennis/fitness coaching which together improve educational outcomes for students, increase graduation rates, and help transform the lives of the youth they serve.

Tenacity has maintained a 95% high school graduation rate among students who have completed their Middle School Academy, with 80% of these graduates going on to higher education. Currently, over 6,000 youth participate in Tenacity’s in-school, after school, and summer programs annually.

Learn more!

Questions?

Please reach out to us via email at njtl@usta.com if you have any questions or need assistance and the appropriate member of the Foundation team will respond to you.