By Nancy Horowitz, USTA Florida President and volunteer
The above statement is part of the journey of life. Partnerships are vital to our existence. Having partners that are transparent and work together for the same goals — those make goals become a reality.
We have been so fortunate in USTA Florida that we have cultivated so many partners that are valued and appreciated.
There have been so many events that have occurred through the months of March-May — from Team Tennis Challenges, league championships, Tennis on Miami Beach, Special Olympics, Miami Open Kids’ Day, Diversity Camp and the Community Outreach Workshop just to name a few.
So many of us have the same goals to promote and develop tennis for all. With our partnership with USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) and I hope in the future even more with PTR (Professional Tennis Registry), we will become even stronger in our efforts to get more people in the game.
Technology has changed so much that we need to be willing, and quick enough, to learn and change with the times. Partnering with Generation X and Millennials together to learn what is relevant, and to see the future through a different set of eyes, is always beneficial.
The USTA Florida Foundation surpassed the $1 million mark for giving grants to recipients around the state. What a wonderful achievement. Possibly we can try for $2 million with the help of all members. Imagine if we were able to take the loose change that we have in our pockets, and everyone sends in a donation in that amount. It adds up very quickly, and what a wonderful place to have it go to — and then see the results.
As we move into the next half of the year, make a commitment to yourself to try to partner, mentor and/or assist a new person to be involved in tennis at any level. Be proactive, and get people active in tennis. Being able to share one’s expertise and assist others lends itself to a basic partnership. There are so many tennis facilities in Florida. Private clubs, semi-private clubs, county and city parks — programs are available for all ages and all levels. It is a sport for a lifetime that is generational, so play with family or neighbors.
If you are looking for anything tennis related in Florida, please visit our new website and utilize what you can at www.ustaflorida.com. Our USTA Florida staff is here to assist you with any questions you may have, and they go above and beyond. This is one partnership that I have enjoyed over the years and utilize on a daily basis.
These past six months have flown by. We are all busy, so thank you for taking the time to make tennis important in your life, as well as in the lives of others.
