The USTA Southern Section is dedicated to introducing tennis to children of all ages in schools throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Schools that commit to the program are eligible for resources such as teacher trainings, equipment and curriculum materials necessary to run a quality tennis unit and extracurricular program.
Resources
• Free 3 hour trainings that show P.E. teachers how they can successfully offer tennis to their students even if they have limited or no experience with the sport and without the need for real tennis courts.
• Curriculum kit that was designed in collaboration with Dr. Robert Pangrazi and includes 8 lesson plans based on NASPE standards, as well as, an instructional DVD and CD with station signs.
• Schools that meet the requirements listed below are eligible for access to discounted equipment (rackets, foam or low compression balls).
• Free organized play workshop designed to show after school providers, parent volunteers, etc exactly how to organize and coordinate students in structured play formats
• Extracurricular program kits and models for elementary and middle school leagues
Requirements
• A minimum of 12 P.E. teachers from the school district participate in the 3 hour inservice
• Schools join USTA as organizational member - $35 per year
• P.E. teacher offers at least 6 contact periods of tennis per year
• Schools run an extracurricular (after school, before school, during recess, etc) play-based program or be able to show how they are directly connected to an after school league run by an outside organization
• Any free equipment the school receives must be shared with the extracurricular program that takes place at the school or the after school program run by an outside organization (Community Tennis Association, park and recreation department, YMCA, etc) at a site off of school grounds
High School no-cut coach initiative
The USTA is promoting the idea of no-cut high school tennis teams so that more students will have the opportunity to play on a team with their friends while representing their school. Coaches that join this initiative receive the following items:
• No-Cut Coach recognition certificate and commendation letter
• Recognition letters and a press release template sent to the athletic director and principal for participating schools
• 1 year subscription to Racquet Sports Industry magazine
• Official USTA No-Cut Tennis Coach cap
• Official USTA No-Cut Tennis Team banner (3' x 5')
• Top Ten Drills and Games CD
• USTA Guide to Tennis on College Campuses
• Consideration for the No-Cut Coach Starfish Award, whereby two coaches are selected for special recognition at the USTA Tennis Teachers’ Conference during the US Open
• Access to USTA's No-Cut Advisory Team for assistance and ideas for managing teams with limited courts
• Frequent updates of games, activities and practice plans
For more information about bringing USTA School Tennis to your school district, please contact the appropriate state coordinator listed below: