Started in 1987, the USTA School Tennis program has introduced hundreds of thousands of children to tennis in school. In fact, the USTA/Virginia District in the last 2 years has visited over 150 schools and exposed over 18,000 children to the game of tennis. The USTA School Tennis program is a great way to get children involved with tennis!
What is the USTA School Tennis Program?
Tennis in Physical Education classes
Extracurricular/After School programs
No-Cut Tennis Teams
The USTA/Virginia Tennis District offers the following to help grow tennis through the schools:
Elementary Middle School High School
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In-Service Training |
In-Service Training |
In-Service Training |
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Tennis in P.E. Classes |
Tennis in P.E. Classes |
Tennis in P.E. Classes |
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QuickStart After School Program/NJTL |
Middle School Tennis Program/ NJTL |
High School No-Cut Program |
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QuickStart-Jr. Team Tennis |
Jr. Team Tennis 14 & Under Divisions |
Jr. Team Tennis 18 & Under Divisions |
In-Service Training
Resources
• Free 3 hour trainings that show P.E. teachers how they can successfully offer tennis to their students even if they have limited or no experience with the sport and without the need for real tennis courts.
• Curriculum kit that was designed in collaboration with Dr. Robert Pangrazi and includes 8 lesson plans based on NASPE standards, as well as, an instructional DVD and CD with station signs.
• Free organized play workshop designed to show after school providers, parent volunteers, etc exactly how to organize and coordinate students in structured play formats
• Extracurricular program kits and models for elementary and middle school leagues
Schools that meet the requirements are eligible to apply for a Recreational Tennis Grant Program
Funding can be requested for more than just equipment (i.e. organizer stipends, operation/event expenses, and more). Grant Requests are to be for $2500 and higher.
Two funding cycles for 2009:
1. January 31 deadline/March approval
2. May 15 deadline/August approval
Junior Team Tennis
In USTA Junior Team Tennis, the team concept emphasize’s fun, fitness, and friends. The focus in this kind of play is on enjoying the exhilaration of exercise and reaping the skills that make tennis fun for players at all ages and levels of competition. USTA Junior Team Tennis is a multi-week program of team practice and match play for boys and girls, ages 6-18, who want to play tennis on teams. Teams are comprised of players of similar age and skill, and they compete against other teams from the same geographic region in one of five league divisions: 8 & under, 10 & under, 12 & under, 14 & under, or 18 & under.
National Junior Tennis League
NJTL is a nationwide network of community organizations seeking to develop the character of young people through tennis and education. Founded in 1969 by Arthur Ashe, NJTL reaches out to those who would not have the opportunity to play, instilling the values of leadership and academic excellence and giving all the kids the opportunity to develop skills for a lifetime of enjoyment of the sport.
High School No Cut Tennis
No-cut coaches play a critical role in our sport by allowing young players the opportunity to experience the lifetime sport of tennis as a member of a team representing their school. The USTA encourages school coaches to adopt a no-cut philosophy and has resources to help.
USTA/VA Tennis has a special offer for all Virginia high school coaches who implement the No-Cut program! Click here for more information!
Recreational Coaches Workshop
A Recreational Coaches Workshop (RCW) is an interactive, on-court training program designed for tennis teachers and coaches working with players at the recreational level. Taught by a specially trained, certified teaching professional, this active 6-hour session covers teaching large groups, the games-based approach to coaching, the QuickStart tennis format, running effective team practices, and games every coach should know. These workshops are an excellent primer for new coaches as well as a valuable refresher course for those with teaching experience but who seek more current methods and effective tools.
Host an RCW in Virginia!
Workshops/Events
National Schools Summit
VHSL Coaches Workshop
Tennis Teachers Conference
RCW’s
VAPHRED
High School Tennis Association
VHSL On-Court Recognition at the Legg-Mason
Sign your school up today! A $35 USTA Organizational Membership provides your school with all the resources listed above.
For more information, contact Caroline Downs, USTA/VA Community Tennis Representative, at (540) 982-5524 or caroline@virginiatennis.com