Happy New Year, USTA Missouri!
We have many successes from the past year to celebrate, and we have some exciting new challenges to tackle in 2023!
2022 was a phenomenal year for USTA Missouri! We led USTA Missouri Valley in adult league growth with a 177% increase in league registration and a 23% increase in new players. We played a lot and we played well! We had a very strong showing at section championships and sent one of our teams to the national championship. Congratulations, everyone!
We also had record-breaking growth in junior leagues and tournaments. Our board president, Mallory Weber, single-handedly organized Junior Team Tennis for the Springfield area and it was a big hit. We are fortunate to have such a supportive and engaged president. I also want to thank the families and providers who worked together to bring junior tournaments to Branson. The love of tennis is contagious and it is awesome to see it spreading throughout our district!
Everything we have accomplished so far is because of individuals in our district who have stepped up to captain a team, help at an event, or ask a friend to play tennis. Thank you all! As we look forward to the 2023 season, I would like to highlight some new opportunities and encourage more players, parents, and providers to get involved.
More Tournaments – Providers in Jefferson City and Fulton are anxious to get more junior tournaments on the books this year. Our new adult league coordinator in Columbia, Stephanie Farid, would also like to see more adult tournament offerings in mid-Missouri. To make this possible, we need more tournament directors! Tournaments can range from half-day to full weekend events and can include juniors, adults, or both! Click here for more information: Tournament Director Inquiry Form.
More Officials – Officials are needed across the section for both junior and adult events. Learn more about officiating in Missouri Valley here: Become a USTA Tennis Official. And be sure to check out the cool swag!
More Programs and Facilities – As our district continues to grow, we are faced with the challenges of offering play opportunities to individuals of all ages and abilities and finding courts for everyone to play. This year we will launch a district grants program to encourage and accommodate this growth. Click here to apply for a USTA Missouri grant: USTA Missouri Grant Application. We are also working closely with tennis providers to connect them with other resources for expanding and improving their facilities. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we had more indoor courts?!
More Volunteers – If you would like to share your love of tennis this year, I would invite you to find out more about volunteer opportunities in our district. There is so much we can do by working together and we need your help!
I am inspired by the incredibly dedicated members of our tennis community and I can’t wait to see our players back in action in 2023. Cheers to a happy and healthy new year, USTA Missouri! The best is yet to come!
Leslie Echols,
USTA Missouri Executive Director
