Queens-Based Wheelchair Sports Federation Among 18 USTA Grant Recipients
The USTA announced that it is awarding $65,000 in USTA Wheelchair Tennis Grassroots Grants to 18 wheelchair tennis programs across the country for the sixth consecutive year. Grants were awarded to local organizations that promote and develop the growth of wheelchair tennis and use the sport of tennis to build stronger, healthier communities. Among the 18 programs, Wheelchair Sports Federation, based in Middle Village, N.Y., received a grant. Wheelchair Sports Federation is a national non-profit that provides opportunities for the disabled and wheelchair-bound adults and youth to play sports recreationally and competitively. Since the inaugural grants in 2008, the total pool of USTA wheelchair tennis grant money has increased each year.
Grant amounts were based on each program's existing budget and the future programmatic needs of the organization. Recipients can use the award to meet the USTA’s grant initiatives including coaching, court time, equipment, recruitment and events (tournaments, camps, etc.).
“We are delighted to award and recognize these deserving wheelchair tennis organizations nationwide for their commitment in promoting and growing wheelchair tennis and positively impacting wheelchair tennis players,” said Dan James, USTA National Manager, Wheelchair Tennis, “These grants are just a part of the continued effort in implementing important programs that reach out to the wheelchair community through tennis and foster growth and success in individual players. The USTA is very happy to assist in these endeavors.”
In addition to Wheelchair Sports Federation, additional grant recipients include:
â–ºAla Moana Wheelchair Tennis Club, Honolulu
â–ºApex Park & Recreation District–Arvada Tennis Center, Arvada, Colo.
â–ºDwight Davis Memorial Tennis Center, St. Louis
â–ºGrey Rock Tennis Club, Austin, Texas
â–ºHolliday Park Kids CTA, Topeka, Kan.
â–ºIdaho Wheelchair Tennis Association, Boise, Idaho
â–ºKalamazoo Wheelchair Tennis Association, Kalamazoo, Mich.
â–ºNew England Wheelchair Sports – NH Clinic, Dover, Mass.
â–ºNorthwest Wheelchair Tennis Association, Keizer, Ore.
â–ºOrthotic and Prosthetic Activities Foundation, Charlotte, N.C.
â–ºPlantation Community Tennis Corporation, Plantation, Fla.
â–ºTurnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities, Fort Wayne, Ind.
â–ºUtah Tennis Association, Salt Lake City
â–ºWalton Foundation for Independence, Augusta, Ga.
â–ºWest Coast Wheelchair Tennis Association, West Hollywood, Calif.
â–ºWheel It Forward, North Kansas City, Mo.
â–ºWheelchair Tennis Atlanta, Atlanta
Additional USTA Wheelchair Tennis Grant opportunities will be announced in 2014. Organizations that are interested in starting a wheelchair tennis program or would like more information about wheelchair tennis can e-mail wheelchairinfo@usta.com.
