USTA Honors Daytona Resident with National Award
Rita Gladstone of Daytona, Fla., was selected as the 2007 Janet Louer National Organizer of the Year Award recipient for USTA Jr. Team Tennis. Gladstone was honored at an awards banquet, before more than 600 community tennis leaders at the annual USTA Community Tennis Development Workshop held on February 23, 2008 at the Flamingo in Las Vegas, Nev. The award, in its second year, is presented to an individual that positively influences children’s lives and substantially impacts his or her community.
In 1977, Rita Gladstone began playing tennis in the “Sunshine State” in what was then called Little Team Tennis. Nearly thirty years later Rita has become a leader in the program. Since becoming area league commissioner of the Volusia County USTA Team Tennis League, enrollment has nearly tripled from 60 to 200 players. Under her leadership, the league secured a long-term sponsor and established a team tennis committee comprising both teaching pros and parents.
Additionally, in the fall of 2004, Rita started a Rallyball league at a public park in Port Orange that grew to include 90 players ranging in age from 6 to 12. Tennis has always been a part of her life as her mother was a parent coach/volunteer when Rita first took to the courts. Rita would go onto play tennis at the University of South Carolina (1984-1988) and achieved her best WTA ranking, 352 in 1989. Gladstone’s husband, Andy is the Director of Competitive Tennis for USTA Florida. During their 16 years of marriage they have passed their love of the game onto their two children Paul and Mira, who are both Jr. Team Tennis players.
The award is named after Janet Louer, an individual who was instrumental in the development of junior tennis during her lifetime. As the administrator for USTA Jr. Team Tennis in Georgia, she built the state championships into the largest youth team tennis state championships in the nation. Her expertise also was utilized in the development of the Section and National Championships for the program.
“We are proud to honor a pioneer of Jr. Team Tennis and a true advocate for the game,” said Kurt Kamperman, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. “Rita Gladstone brings enthusiasm and a commitment to providing each child an enriching experience on the courts.”
Carla O’Connor from Charlotte, N.C. was the inaugural recipient of the Janet Louer National Organizer of the Year Award last year.
USTA Jr. Team Tennis emphasizes the benefits of tennis such as teamwork and fitness for players of various age and skill levels. A competitive, multi-week program, USTA Jr. Team Tennis encourages boys and girls ages 6 to 18 years old to compete with teams from the same geographic region in five league divisions; 8 & under; 10 & under; 12 & under; 14 & under; and 18 & under.