For NJTL Chapters and Programs
Regional Rallies
Established in 1988, the Rallies are one of NJTL’s longest running and most successful offerings. Each year, NJTL provides grants and equipment to selected Chapters/Programs that have the means to host a day or weekend tennis event extravaganza for NJTL participants in the local and neighboring areas. USTA/NJTL provides a Regional Rally Host Kit which helps the host site with planning and tournament details.
The Regional Rallies serve as both a reward for active Chapters and Programs, and an incentive for new communities to join the NJTL Network. The grants and equipment are available to chapters/programs that are active NJTLs and USTA members.
NJTL of the Year Award
The USTA continues its tradition of honoring outstanding program work in presenting the annual NJTL of the Year Award to NJTL chapters/programs that have demonstrated continued excellence in youth tennis programming. The award is open to those NJTLs that have conducted a program for a minimum of three consecutive years and is an active organizational member of the USTA.
Three (3) awards will be offered corresponding to the NJTL's organization budget level:
• Level 1: budget up to $50,000
• Level 2-3: budget between $50,000-$500,000
• Level 4-5: budget $500,000 and higher
National winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to the USTA’s Community Tennis Development Workshop. 2008 NJTL of the Year applications are due on October 17, 2008.
Capacity Building Program
Often, mid-size NJTL chapters/programs seeking to expand their impact and reach into the community need a little guidance. Before they can provide more programming or take on a greater number of kids, they must first develop additional management capabilities. The Capacity Building Program is designed to provide long-term assistance to selected chapters that are committed to achieving significant qualitative and quantitative growth and to developing management capabilities necessary to achieve their goals.
Chapters/Programs are selected at the end of each year through a competitive application process.
Recreational Coach Workshops (RCWs)
An RCW is an on-court training program designed for tennis teachers and coaches working with players at the recreational level, and is ideal for training NJTL staff and volunteers. Each interactive, fun, 6-hour workshop is conducted by an outstanding certified tennis professional specially trained to effectively handle large groups and get kids to play tennis quickly using the QuickStart Tennis format. Additionally, NTJLs that host a successful RCW will receive a financial reimbursement for each attendee who completed the workshop.
NJTL Community Building Initiative
Through the work of its National Junior Tennis League (NJTL), the USTA received a large grant from The Ford Foundation and USTA Serves. The combined resources will fund the “Community Building through Tennis” initiative. The initiative uses select NJTL Chapters to bring together changing neighborhoods in ways that will enhance education, communication, economic opportunity and neighborhood stability.
The five 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
- Tennis Memphis; Memphis, TN
Read Press Release
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.
For NJTL Participants
Arthur Ashe Essay and Art Contest
To help commemorate the legacy of humanitarian and tennis great Arthur Ashe, USTA/NJTL sponsors an annual essay and art contest asking entrants to respond to the question "How do you exemplify the ideals of Arthur Ashe?" 10 National essay winners receive an all-expense paid trip to New York to be guests at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, a daylong festival of kids’ tennis activities that includes interactive games, musical entertainment and free clinics. For the first time, artwork is allowed for kids ages 12 and under. Art Contestant winners are not eligible for the grand prize, but will receive a commemorative plaque in their honor.
The 2008 Contest is now over. Please check back in February for information on the 2009 contest. To learn more about the contest and the 2008 winners click here.
Tennis Leadership Camp (TLC)
The TLC is a wonderful opportunity for NJTL participants to experience an intense week of training, emphasizing individual skills development, physical fitness, proper nutrition, good sportsmanship and other healthy attitudes. At the Camp, kids will meet other kids that love tennis, train with experienced pros, participate in a career counseling night, interact with special guest speakers, and visit local area attractions. Created in 1984 to provide an educational as well as motivational tennis experience for NJTL participants who could not afford such an opportunity, the goal of the Camp is to provide NJTL participants a chance to be part of a life lasting tennis and social experience. The 2008 TLC will be held in Washington, DC from July 22 - 28. Click here to download the 2008 TLC Application.
2007 Camper Blog - The 2007 camp was at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA from July 17th - 23rd.
2006 Camper Blog - The 2006 camp was held July 18th – 24th in San Diego, CA.