Tennis Briefs(4): Grants, Play Days, USTA Collegiate Team Named

Boca Raton’s Brady, UF’s Austin Selected to USTA Collegiate National Team

Boca Raton’s Jennifer Brady (photo: Daily Bruin)

Two players with Florida connections were selected this week to the USTA Collegiate National Team — Jennifer Brady, a UCLA sophomore from Boca Raton, and Brooke Austin (Indianapolis, Ind.), a freshman at the University of Florida.

The USTA Collegiate National Team is a high-level training program designed to help America’s premier college players assimilate to professional tennis in a team-oriented environment.

Brady will be leaving UCLA to begin her career on the pro circuit. Other women named to the team were Virginia junior Julia Elbaba (Oyster Bay, N.Y.), and UNC sophomore Jamie Loeb (Ossining, N.Y.). The three players named to the men’s team were UCLA sophomore Mackenzie McDonald (Piedmont, Calif.), Wake Forest freshman Noah Rubin (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) who has indicated that he will turn pro, and Virginia junior Ryan Shane (Falls Church, Va.).

Several coaches will accompany USTA Collegiate National Team players as they play professional tournaments on the USTA Pro Circuit this summer. The men’s coaches are Oklahoma associate head coach Bo Hodge, Georgia Tech assistant coach Derek Schwandt and Christian Groh, personal coach of former world No. 2 Tommy Haas. The women’s coaches are Princeton head coach Laura Granville, Davidson head coach Sara Anundsen, TCU head coach Lee Taylor Walker and Columbia assistant coach Riza Zalameda.

This year’s team was open to rising freshmen through rising seniors who met at least one of the following criteria: NCAA singles champion; highest-ranked American in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s final singles rankings; ITA Rookie of the Year; ITA All-American singles champion; USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships singles champion; pro ranking inside the Top 600 (men) or Top 400 (women) from September through April.

Additionally, the USTA will provide support, via grant money or other resources, to top American collegians not on the Collegiate National Team.

“It is of vital importance that college tennis remains a strong part of the professional tennis player pathway,” said USTA Player Development General Manager Martin Blackman. “Therefore, USTA Player Development will continue to provide America’s top college players with the resources to help them make the transition from college to successful pro careers.”

For more information go to www.usta.com.

USTA Florida, City of Miami to Bring Tennis to Henderson, Armbrister Parks

USTA Florida is bringing tennis to Miami parks through a new partnership with the City of Miami as part of the USTA Florida Section’s Diversity Outreach initiative in 2015. The initiative is designed to bring programming to diverse populations and provide the opportunity to learn and play the sport of tennis for a lifetime.

As part of the partnership, the USTA Florida Foundation has provided an equipment grant to the city for $5,606 to be distributed among 16 parks. The equipment will allow children to learn the sport of tennis with right-sized equipment for their age and ability, including smaller racquets, reduced-bounce balls, mini nets, and Tennis Skillastics games.

“Tennis is a great way for folks of all ages to stay fit, socialize and have fun,” said Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Miami Kevin Kirwin. “The Parks and Recreation Department with the help of a generous grant from the USTA Florida Foundation has embraced tennis as a lifetime sport that will be incorporated into their summer and after-school program curriculum.”

USTA Florida Diversity Outreach efforts are specifically targeting Henderson and Armbrister parks in Miami for 2015 — facilities do not currently offer tennis, but will be introducing tennis basics this summer as part of their program activities, including an after-school program to be launched in September. Along with these two parks, 14 other City of Miami parks will also include an after-school program that will serve more than 500 children. City of Miami staff attended Kids Tennis Clubs training offered by USTA Florida earlier this year to learn the skills and tools necessary.

“I am excited about this new partnership and the City of Miami dedication to bring this lifetime sport to the community,” said Cathy Nordlund, USTA Florida tennis program coordinator. “Most tennis is played on public park courts, and this is giving so many children a chance to be introduced to this amazing sport.”

Armbrister and Henderson parks are part of the target markets USTA Florida is working with to grow tennis participation among diverse populations in Central and South Florida. As part these efforts, USTA Florida will be hosting events throughout the year, including free festivals, USTA Play Days, round robins, and USTA Florida will also offer scholarships for tennis providers to attend PTR Ace workshops and obtain teaching certifications.

A full list of events is posted at www.ustaflorida.com/events.

For more information about programs and places to play visit www.ustaflorida.com.

New Wellington, Fla. Tennis Center Free Play Day on Saturday

The new Wellington Tennis Center in Wellington, Fla., will host a free Tennis Play Day for the whole family on Saturday, June 20, 2015 from 10 a.m. to noon for players of all abilities.

Tennis shoes are required, and other equipment will be provided, in addition to the offering of heart-pumping Cardio Tennis sessions. Free giveaways will also be held during the grand opening of the facility.

The event will be hosted by the Western Communities Tennis Association, a 501(C)(3) organization promoting the growth, development and accessibility of the sport of tennis to the residents of the Western communities of Palm Beach County.

The Wellington Tennis Center is located at 3100 Lyons Road in Wellington, Fla.

For more info e-mail wctapbc@gmail.com or call (561) 791-4775.

Court Line Grants Available for 36-, 60-foot Tennis Courts

The USTA is looking to partner with communities to help get more kids and families playing tennis by adding 36- and 60-foot court lines to facilities across the country.

These smaller courts are easier for beginner players to cover, leading to more early success when they play.
Courts lined for 36- and 60-foot play also help grow the game and tennis businesses by enhancing programming and getting more players on the court.

There are three distinct line grants you can take advantage of to get started today: Line Grant (for lines on existing tennis courts); Playground Line Grant (for painting 36- and 60-foot tennis lines on playgrounds, parking lots and other flat surfaces); and Collegiate Blended Line Grant (for painting blended lines on courts).

Complete the USTA Facility Assistance Form at http://ct.usta.com/pfa, or for more info go to http://www.usta.com/Facilities/36__60_court_resources.