USTA Florida announced the launch of an all-new provider resource webpage in March, aimed at supplying the Florida tennis community’s vast range of providers with education, guidance and the tools they need for continued success.
The page, www.USTAFlorida.com/providers, serves as a hub of information for all different types of providers. All providers – school teachers, coaches, NJTLs and tennis teaching professionals – can access a wealth of information and training to help improve your game and prepare to serve your customers when tennis play resumes.
Each week, USTA Florida will break down what resources are offered for each provider category. This week we’re focusing on NJTL providers.
NJTL Providers
National Junior Tennis and Learning Chapters have been providing tennis and education programs since 1969. The NJTL network features more than 250 nonprofit youth development organizations that offer free or low-cost tennis and educational programming to over 160,000 under-resourced youth each year. Our NJTL Providers page offers a direct connection to resources to help NJTLs enroll, join the network, and apply for grant assistance.
Getting Started
Arthur Ashe co-founded the NJTL network in 1969 along with longtime tennis greats Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder. The three founders envisioned the NJTL as a way to reach young people in inner cities and to use tennis as a platform to teach them important life lessons. USTA’s NJTL network provides free or low-cost tennis and education programming to thousands of under-resourced youth throughout Florida. Those interested in enrolling as a new NJTL chapter or have questions about joining the network can contact the USTA Foundation for more information.
Training
As a registered NJTL chapter, USTA and the USTA Foundation will provide access to regional and online training with updated education resources. NJTLs pledge to help children develop skills not only on the court but also in the classroom by providing scholarship opportunities along the way. In this training section, you’ll find access to regional training and webinars on a variety of topics aimed at strengthening your capacity to provide exciting opportunities to your participants. Providers can also check out The Lab, a performance-focused content series powered by Net Generation, where tennis coaches of every level and other tennis providers have the opportunity to learn from the best and each other.
Curricula
In need of some support for your National Junior and Tennis Learning Chapter? Curricula is available to help provide a program that is engaging, teach critical life skills, and help build a love of tennis.
Below is a breakdown of some of the options available:
- C.E. Curriculum – Academic Creative Engagement (A.C.E.) and its STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Math) component is an out-of-school academic curriculum connected to 21st Century Skills, Common Core State and National Standards and the sport of tennis. It is a proven strategy for improving kids’ attitudes and behaviors toward learning geometry and literacy.
- Life Skills – Teach NJTL youth critical life skills, values, and experience they need to become responsible and successful citizens that will empower them and let them soar into the future.
- Tennis & Education Toolkit – Like Arthur Ashe, you may want to “use tennis to teach the game of life.” Structuring an organization can be a great way to inspire an interest in tennis and improve the quality of life for children and adults through exercise and fitness.
Tennis Industry United
In this unprecedented time, the entire tennis industry has come together to analyze the most pressing needs and top concerns of all involved in our sport and then collaborated on programs that can provide the immediate and longer-term support that is needed. This section highlights the Tennis Industry Resource Guide that offers a list of resources focused on financial assistance and relief.
Contact Us
Looking for something you can’t find here? Have a need for your NJTLs? Let us know! USTA Florida will continue to add resources to www.USTAFlorida.com/Providers in an effort to keep providers informed, up to date, and supported. Contact us below with your suggestions.
