Eve Kraft (1926-1999) started teaching tennis to children in Princeton, New Jersey, and founded the Princeton Community Tennis Program, which soon blossomed into a national model for community-based tennis programs. In 1971, she founded the USTA Education and Resource Center in Princeton. Under Eve’s direction the USTA Princeton office had grown to a staff of over 30 when, in 1993, the USTA moved its operations to White Plains, New York. Eve worked part-time for three more years and then retired and became a full-time volunteer. In 1972, Eve became co-founder and director of the USA Tennis Teachers Conference, held yearly during the US Open. The USTA Recreational Tennis Leadership Workshop was Eve’s brainchild, arising from the National Junior Tennis League National Convention, to what is now known as the Community Tennis Development Workshop. Eve was a visionary, a pioneer and an inspiration to all who loved the game of tennis. Always approachable, Eve was eager to share her knowledge and support. She served as mentor to many who are active in tennis today.

Click here for application
 

What:

The United States Tennis Association continues the tradition of honoring persons for outstanding fieldwork in community tennis by presenting its prestigious and annual USTA Eve Kraft Community Service Awards during the 2011 Community Tennis Development Workshop, to be held in early 2011. Specific location and dates will be provided soon and posted at www.usta.com/ctdw

Purpose:

The USTA Eve Kraft Community Service Awards are given annually to individual(s) who have made significant contributions in developing community-based tennis programs through community tennis associations, community centers, schools, parks and recreation agencies and other local tennis providers.

Criteria:

All nominees must have at least three (3) consecutive seasons of fieldwork. Candidates must be recommended by at least two (2) people familiar with the candidate’s work. Nominators cannot be members of the candidate’s immediate family. Among the criteria to consider are:

1.

Scope and variety of programs and number of people served

2.

Depth of involvement in community (i.e. impact on community’s overall tennis picture, please limit up to 3 photos)

3.

New and innovative features resulting from candidates activities

4.

Inspirational and motivational work with adults and/or youth

5.

Involvement of other community service or recreational organizations (i.e. YMCA, Senior Centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, Special Olympics, etc.)

6.

Affiliation with local USTA Section and/or USTA District

Awards:

Award recipient of the USTA Eve Kraft Community Service Awards will receive an expense-paid trip to the 2011 Community Tennis Development Workshop. This includes a complimentary registration to the Workshop, hotel accomodations, roundtrip airfare and presentation of the award during the awards banquet. All winners will be notified by telephone or mail at least one month prior to the Workshop.

Deadline:

Nominations must be completed online and received by Friday, July 15, 2011. Please feel free to contact us at cta@usta.com for any questions.