Mar,01,2022
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Below is the USTA Eastern's Long Island Region Update for the March/April 2022 issue of Long Island Tennis Magazine.
May Designated as National Tennis Month
USTA Chairman of the Board and President Mike McNulty has announced that once again this year, May will be designated as “National Tennis Month.” This celebration will give providers and others in the tennis community the opportunity “to raise awareness around our great sport and promote it as healthy, fun, safe, and accessible to people of all ages and abilities,” he said.
According to McNulty, “tennis has enjoyed some truly impressive growth—all the more remarkable in the face of the pandemic. And during National Tennis Month, the USTA, along with many of its partners in the tennis world, will be making a concerted effort to add to the sport’s momentum by providing resources, ideas and support for coaches, facilities, Parks & Recs, Community Tennis Associations, NJTLs, and providers of all kinds to help bring new players into tennis and reinvigorate those who’ve already made this sport a part of their lives.”
Various marketing and promotional resources will be available to help providers promote National Tennis Month. “I encourage all of you to be proactive in using these materials … so that we can do the best-possible job of spreading the good word about our great sport,” McNulty said. All resources are available on USTA.com/NationalTennisMonth. Materials include downloadable artwork to use for fliers, banners, t-shirts, car magnets and yard signs; customizable marketing materials, including social media posts, flyers, posters and postcards; a sample press release and tips for reaching out to local media; and sample proclamations for city councils and mayors to proclaim May as National Tennis Month.
Providers are also encouraged to use the hashtag #NationalTennisMonth in all of their programming and promotions throughout May.
Designating a month of promotion for tennis provides a platform to drive awareness and help bring new players into local programs, inspire lapsed players to pick the sport back up and energize existing players to play more.
Wanted! USTA High School Coach Ambassadors
Are you a high school tennis coach who wants to help grow high school tennis? Apply to become a High School Coach Ambassador. This new volunteer position is a great opportunity for you to help serve as a mentor in your community, meet new people, attend trainings and events and grow high school tennis in the United States. Ambassadors will serve on the same two-year timeline as the USTA’s National High School Committee, with an option to re-apply for each new term. The current application is for a term that runs until Dec. 31, 2022. To apply, please complete the form in its entirety.
The High School Committee will review all submissions and follow up as selections are finalized.
USTA Celebrates Black History Month
In 2006, Dr. Dale G. Caldwell was installed as the Black person to hold the position of USTA Eastern Section President. He is shown here next to the statue of Althea Gibson at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
The USTA in February celebrated Black History Month, a time for reflection, awareness and continued commitment to education.
According to Martin Blackman, Executive Sponsor, and Deanne Pownall, Senior Advisor, “The USTA made significant strides in 2021, beginning with welcoming Marisa Grimes as our Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. Over the last year her team has been instrumental in elevating our partnerships with the American Tennis Association and Jack & Jill of America, finding new ways to grow tennis in communities of color. The D&I department also launched the ‘Huddle Up for Equity & Social Justice’ education series led by the Institute for Sport & Social Justice, which will continue through 2022. In addition, the 2021 US Open showcased Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU), which have a rich history in our sport, at the first annual “HBCU Live at the US Open” activation. The celebration was also a day to honor the late Mayor David Dinkins, as the David N. Dinkins HBCU Fund was launched in partnership with the USTA Foundation, focusing initially on providing grants to HBCU tennis programs. The grant is designed to encourage and support HBCU players on the path to becoming certified coaches, providing valuable development opportunities for a potential career in tennis.
“We are also thrilled to share the rebranding of the former ACE Network Business Resource Group (BRG), which is now the Black Empowerment Network. This new brand was developed together with the BRG’s leadership to better reflect the community of employees it serves.”
Tennis Ladders Underway
Two of Long Island’s most popular tennis ladders have announced that registration is now open the 2022 season. The Tennis Association of Farmingdale (TAF Tennis) ladder gives recreational players the opportunity to meet new people, make their own matches and have fun. Competition includes men’s and women’s singles, doubles, mixed and senior ladders. For more information and to register visit www.TAFtennis.org The Huntington Tennis Association (HTA) is offering free membership in 2022. The group invites players to play on as many ladders as they like all spring and summer long at no cost. For information, visit HTAtennis.com. Ladders include men’s and women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles ladders, with a championship match against the Farmingdale ladder at the end of the season.
USTA Eastern Long Island Regional Council Executive Committee
►Jonathan Klee, Regional Director
►Michael Pavlides, Past Regional Director
►Sunny Fishkind, Vice Regional Director
►Randi Wilkins, Secretary
►Neil Thakur, USTA Eastern Manager of Long Island Region Schools and Community Tennis (thakur@eastern.usta.com)
