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NJTL Program/Chapter | National Junior Tennis League will be re-branded as the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network in June 2009. With the new name and logo, the 40-year-old network of community tennis associations will continue its mission of developing the character of young people through tennis and education.
The re-brand will heighten awareness of NJTL initiatives and will also broaden the public’s understanding of the mission to instill in youngsters the values exemplified by Arthur Ashe throughout his life – humanitarianism, leadership, and academic excellence.
Founders Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder established NJTL in 1969. Since then, the NJTL network has grown to include over 550 chapters which serve over 220,000 youth annually. NJTL chapters, which vary in size and scope, can be found in 46 of the top 50 U.S. markets, making NJTL one of the USTA’s largest community-based initiatives. NJTL chapters are supported by the USTA through grants, awards, and various learning opportunities. NJTL participants have the opportunity to take part in a number of core programs, including the Tennis and Leadership Camp, the Arthur Ashe Essay and Art Contest, Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, Regional Rallies, a scholarship to the annual USTA Community Tennis Development Workshop, and low-cost insurance.
NJTLs are charged with providing free or low-cost programming for youth during out-of-school time that combine tennis and education to help keep kids safe, healthy and strong. Key NJTL initiatives include the Community Building Initiative, the Capacity Building Program, and the After-School Intermediary Project.
“The NJTL network is an important resource the USTA provides and a key USTA initiative in our effort to grow the game amongst America’s youth,” said Kurt Kamperman, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. “It provides all children, regardless of their background, the opportunity to maximize their academic potential while learning a sport that can last a lifetime.”
“This rebranding and name change will serve to raise awareness of NJTL’s emphasis on its educational opportunities, and augment the USTA’s desire to service America’s underserved youth through both educational and tennis-related activities,” said Barry Ford, Director, Outreach and Advocacy, USTA.
The re-brand comes in conjunction with NJTL’s 40th anniversary, and NJTL chapters across the country will take part in a number of regional rallies throughout this summer.
The new brand identity is now being incorporated into all USTA materials, including newsletters, the USTA website, and other promotional mediums. Information on NJTL can be found at www.usta.com/NJTL.
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Enter The 2009 Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest Today
You could win a Trip to Arthur Ashe Kids Day @ the US Open! If you are a member of USTA Southern (Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North & South Carolina, Tennessee), you have TWO chances to win. By entering the National contest, your essay is automatically entered into a similar contest JUST for Southern participants. The prize for both contests is an all-expense paid trip for you and one chaperone to experience Arthur Ashe Kids Day at the US Open and enjoy a fun-filled weekend in New York City! The deadline for essay submissions is July 10
th, 2009.
For more information, please visit www.usta.com/njtl
Southern Section Dominates 2008 Arthur Ashe Essay Contest
Ten youngsters from USTA Southern were selected as national or sectional winners of the 2008 Arthur Ashe Essay and Art Contest and received an all-expense paid weekend to attend Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day and other exciting cultural events in New York City.
Writers of the winning essays from Southern were
- Emma Crush of Rising Stars of Kentucky NJTL
- Michelle Matoke of Raleigh NJTL
- Kedzie J. White of Tennis Memphis NJTL.
There were seven other national winners selected from the other 16 USTA sections.
Seven other contestants were named winners for the nine USTA Southern states and also received an all-expense paid trip to NYC.
Those winners were:
- Alabama - Braylon Rumph of Lyons Park NJTL
- Georgia- Aaron Winfrey of Peterson School of Tennis
- Kentucky - Hannah Watene of Rising Stars of Kentucky
- Mississippi - Christopher Adams of Four Aces Racquet Club
- North Carolina - Robert Wright of Raleigh NJTL
- South Carolina - Zakiya Provost of MACH Academy, Inc.
- Tennessee - Dylan Ledbetter of Tennis Memphis.
Read about the 2008 NJTL Regional Tennis Leadership Camp by clicking here.
Click here for the story and photos from the 2007 USTA Southern Arthur Ashe Kid's Day trip!
For NJTL Participants
• Arthur Ashe Essay Contest - an educational component created to showcase the program's commitment to the legacy and ideals of Arthur Ashe
• Camp Scholarships - financial assistance for tennis players who are 13 years old and under and exemplify strong values and personal charact
• Program Grants - funding to start or expand a National Junior Tennis League Chapter or Program
• Tennis Leadership Camp - an educational and motivational tennis experience for program participants who could not normally afford such an opportunity.
For NJTL Chapters and Programs
• Community Tennis Development Workshop Scholarships - financial assistance for coordinators of NJTL chapters and programs to attend the annual CTDW workshop (location varies)
• NJTL of the Year Award - a sectional and national award designed to recognize outstanding programs for their continued excellence in youth tennis programming.
• Regional Rallies - designed to bring together neighboring chapters and programs for team oriented, fun-filled tennis activities and competition.
• Recreational Coach Workshops (RCWs) - on court training program designed for tennis teachers and coaches working with players at the recreational level
• Capacity Building Program - guidance for mid-size NJTL chapters/programs seeking to expand their impact and reach into the community. Chapters/Programs are selected at the end of each year through a competitive application process.
• The Ford Foundation "Community Building Through Tennis" Initiative
Through the work of its National Junior Tennis League (NJTL), the USTA received a $400,000 grant from The Ford Foundation, which will be administered through the USTA Tennis and Education Foundation. The combined resources of nearly $1,000,000 will fund an 12 month pilot project called "Community Building through Tennis." The initiative seeks to bring people together from diverse backgrounds in changing neighborhoods in ways that will enhance education, communication, economic opportunity and neighborhood stability.
• The four pilot NJTL chapters are:
- Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education; Philadelphia, PA
- Malivai Washington Kids Foundation; Jacksonville, FL
- Milwaukee Tennis & Education Foundation; Milwaukee, WI
- Tenacity, Inc; Boston, MA
The newest site added is:
- Tennis Memphis; Memphis, TN
• After-School Intermediary Partnerships
In a strategy that developed in late 2006, the USTA forged partnerships with two leading after-school intermediary organizations to enhance local partnerships that support and sustain the growth of the NJTL network. The partnerships rely on NJTL chapters to provide programming at middle and elementary schools city or county-wide where there are strong intermediary organizations and strong NJTL chapters already in place. The USTA brings valuable resources to the partnership including quality providers with capacity to reach a number of schools city-wide, technical assistance, training, discounted equipment, and in some cases, temporary cash investments.
To find NJTL Chapters/Programs near you, please visit Locate a NJTL
To register a new NJTL Chapter/Program online or to download and print a registration form, please visit Register a NJTL
Read the USTA Southern Section's Multicultural Participation Message here.
To contact your state NJTL coordinator, see list below: