2007 usta missouri valley yearbook_030607.qxp - USTA.com

NATIONAL JUNIOR TENNIS LEAGUE
NJTL introduces at-risk and underprivileged young people to the skills, techniques and
rewards of tennis. Established by Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder in
1969, these inner-city organizations use tennis to develop character, values, social skills
and self-discipline by providing adult role models and opportunities for academic advancement.
NJTL promotes fun, fitness and friends – the main reasons why youngsters play
sports. NJTL is a low-cost, community-based system for providing tennis opportunities for
youngsters. NJTL keeps youngsters off the streets and out of trouble by providing them a
safe haven and role models, while they develop positive social skills and learning disciplines.
Programs that affiliate with NJTL have many resources at their disposal including the
Arthur Ashe Essay Contest, Regional Rallies and the Invitational Tennis Leadership Camp.
More Information: Fred Johnson 913-322-4828 or johnson@movalley.usta.com
USTA Missouri Valley Adult Competition Program Manager Lori Therrien lends Naomi a helping hand while
showing her some basic strokes during the June 2006 BlazeSports Kansas Kickoff, a tennis clinic for individuals
with physical disabilities.
Tennis is a sport without boundaries.
Yes, there are lines on a court, but they
are not there to exclude anyone. USTA
Adaptive Programming recognizes four
categories of differently-abled players:
� Developmentally disabled (learning
disabilities, autism, Down Syndrome, mental
retardation, etc).
� Physically disabled (birth defects, multiple
sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, muscular
dystrophy, etc.).
� Consumers of mental health services
(psychiatrically disabled, emotionally disturbed,
etc.).
� At risk / environmentally disabled
(substance abusers, mentally and physically
abused, homeless, HIV positive individuals,
persons within the juvenile justice sys-
ADAPTIVE PROGRAMMING
tem, etc.).
For each of these groups, USTA
Adaptive Programming supports adaptive
tennis programs, providing resources for
specifically tailored programs that provide
fun, fitness and a positive social experience
for participants. Clinics and instructional
programs are held throughout the
Section, often in conjunction with agencies
devoted to serving special populations
within their respective communities.
The enjoyment, physical well-being and
contact shared by participants have
proven to be positive sources of selfesteem,
helping open doors to a more
positive lifestyle.
More Information: Fred Johnson 913-322-
4828 or johnson@movalley.usta.com.
Stay Up To Date! “Go To The Net” –– missourivalley.usta.com
Community
Tennis
WELCOME BACK
TO TENNIS
The purpose of Welcome Back to
Tennis, for players age 50+, is to encourage
people to make a commitment to a
healthier lifestyle by providing them with an
exciting social tennis event and offering them
opportunities to join a specifically designed
continuing tennis program. The target audience
is people, ages 50 to 70, who used to
play tennis but stopped playing or who would
like to get started. These events aren’t
intended for individuals who are already
involved in a local program or league.
Here’s a snapshot of a Welcome Back to
Tennis party: A three-hour event that
includes socializing, music, food and
drinks, advice on new racquet technology,
safety considerations, warm-up and cooldown
activities, on-court tennis activities,
prizes, and sign-up opportunities for continuing
programs.
More Information: Contact your district’s
Tennis Service Representative (TSR). See page
9 for TSR phone numbers and e-mail
addresses.
TENNIS WELCOME
CENTERS
About 71 million Americans have tried
tennis but left due to a poor introductory
experience.They simply picked up a racquet
and tried to play without the benefit of
instruction or coaching. Research shows
that when people are introduced to tennis
through fun and organized instructional
programs they keep playing. We need your
help to attract and retain new players.
As a Tennis Welcome Center, your tennis
facility will benefit from the largest marketing
campaign EVER to introduce people to
tennis “the right way,” so they keep playing!
Tennis facilities meeting basic requirements
may become a Tennis Welcome Center.
Through TennisWelcomeCenter.com,
potential players can enter their zip code
and find out about introductory instructional
programs offered near them. Your facility or
program name doesn’t change; you simply
become part of a network of Tennis
Welcome Centers welcoming new players
to the game.
Register as a Tennis Welcome Center:
Visit Partners.TennisWelcomeCenter.com or
contact your district’s Tennis Service
Representative (page 9).
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