Help divvy up USTA funds for community tennis

Given the chance, just about everyone could stay fit and have fun playing tennis. But not everyone gets the chance.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) brings tennis to school kids, the general public and folks with widely differing abilities. Now you can help allocate $100,000 in USTA funds to these community efforts.

Check out the USTA program descriptions below. Then cast a vote to help fund a program. The USTA will direct $60,000 to the program with the most votes, and $20,000 to each of the other two programs. There’s no purchase necessary. Voting ended 4/30/11.

USTA community tennis programs

Schools

The USTA Schools effort introduces kids to the sport of a lifetime by providing training, support and equipment to schools across the country. This support gives kids the opportunity to learn the game while helping to combat childhood obesity. Every day, while kids are having fun playing tennis, they are also achieving the health and wellness goals of their school. Help expand the effort to bring tennis to schools and to enrich the lives of students.

Tennis in the Parks

Tennis in the Parks helps to provide tennis programming and improve tennis facilities in parks throughout the country. The work helps to improve and expand opportunities in communities nationwide for the public to learn and play the lifelong game of tennis. Along with the health and fitness benefits, new courts and expanded programming provide ways for people to come together. Help invigorate communities by supporting facility improvement in the parks.

Wheelchair/ Adaptive

Wheelchair and adaptive tennis programs provide access to everyone with a desire to play the game. In 1998 the United States Tennis Association assumed responsibility for wheelchair tennis in America.   Since then the USTA has become the first National Governing Body of both Olympic and Paralympic tennis. Adaptive Tennis’ goal is to promote and develop tennis opportunities for individuals with differing abilities and circumstances through inclusion, knowledge, and support, and by providing, where needed, adaptive programming, equipment, and teaching techniques. Your support will help to ensure that players of all ages and abilities have the access they need to compete in the sport they love.

Voting ended 4/30/2011