USTA Oklahoma Year End Review

Participation in USTA Junior competition is up a whopping 21% since 2022. The Level 1-7 competition system brings uniformity across all 17 UTSA Sections, with 87 tournaments taking place at different clubs and facilities across the state. Multiple tournament formats and skill level options were available to the more than 5,100 junior participants who took part, with even more availability set to come in 2023.

Junior Team Tennis (JTT) is growing as well with the highest participation ever. More than 1,000 players took part in an Oklahoma JTT league 2023. These competitions included the best of the junior teams facing off in the JTT State Championships this past August. Over 200 players ranging in age from 8 to 18 squared off at Edmond Center Court in Edmond, OK, competing in a festive atmosphere of cheering crowds, food trucks and snow cones. Some of the best players in the State took part in this competition.  A great experience for sure!

2023 was also a banner year for the Oklahoma Tennis Foundation, which positively impacts lives by supporting and funding organizations that promote tennis and education. The OKTF Board of Directors and Executive Director, Carmen Bond, continued to impact Oklahoma youth through FREE Hall of Fame tennis clinics, through state-wide grants, and by awarding performance and college scholarships to worthy applicants throughout Oklahoma. Seven Outreach clinics were conducted in 2023, reaching 350 kids from all walks of life in both rural and metropolitan areas. Grants totaling $85,000 were distributed to programs in several Oklahoma counties to help fund adaptive tennis programs, the development of junior tennis players with educational opportunities. An additional $35,000 funded 14 need-based academic and performance scholarships in 2023.

USTA Oklahoma impacted various schools around the State of Oklahoma showing a commitment to promoting inclusivity and support in the sport by awarding a total of $8,000 in equipment grants. These grants, specifically designed to enhance the tennis experience for young players and making tennis accessible and enjoyable for young players across the region were distributed to eight deserving recipients.  The equipment grants included right-sized racquets, low-compression balls, mini-nets, and throw-down lines. The eight schools impacted were two Tulsa Public Schools, Yukon Public Schools, Oklahoma School for the Deaf, Mustang Public Schools, Oklahoma City Public Schools, Carlton Landing Academy, and Britton Christian Church Tennis Academy. In 2024, there is always an opportunity for providers to apply for a USTA Missouri Valley grant, USTA Oklahoma grant as well as a grant from the Oklahoma Tennis Foundation.

If you would like to learn more about UTSA Adult Leagues, Junior Leagues, JTT or the Oklahoma Tennis Foundation, please reach out to the contacts below:

• USTA Adult Leagues: oquin@ustaoklahoma.com

• USTA Junior Leagues: minihan@ustaoklahoma.com

• Oklahoma Junior Team Tennis: mckenzie@ustaoklahoma.com

• Oklahoma Tennis Foundation: oktennisfoundation.org

For all USTA Oklahoma information and articles go to www.thebaseliner.net