2022 Community Champions: Matt Boughton named Janet Louer JTT National Organizer of the Year
On March 20, six advocates for the sport of tennis at the grassroots and local levels were honored as Community Champions at the 2022 USTA Annual Meeting and Conference. The “Celebration of Community Champions” luncheon was held at the Disney Beach and Yacht Club in Orlando, Fla.
WATCH: Matt Boughton named the 2022 Janet Louer JTT National Organizer of the Year
Matt Boughton of Eau Claire, Wisc. was named the Janet Louer Junior Team Tennis (JTT) National Organizer of the Year at the 2022 USTA Annual Meeting and Conference in recognition of how he's grown the program at his tennis club, in his community and in his USTA section.
The director of tennis at the John and Fay Menard YMCA Tennis Center for the past 14 years, Boughton was instrumental in bringing JTT to the center in 2010. In this role, Boughton offers a variety of orange and red ball camps, hosts Jr. Team Tennis play opportunities in three age groups (18U, 14U and 12U) and teaches lessons throughout the year. In total, the club has 11 different teams made up of 79 juniors, and its outreach through these teams grows the game through recreation and in schools.
Heavily involved in the Northern section, Boughton is on the section's board and serves on three committees for junior competition, Jr. Team Tennis and grants.
Boughton's creativity shines in the running of his events and organizes his tennis community in giving back locally. Recently, for example, he hosted a post-season JTT party at local grass courts, so his players could be exposed to a different playing surface. To play in his “no fee” tournaments, kids instead bring donations to help support their local community.
Photo credit: Cameraworks USA/USTA
“Matt's commitment to creating an environment where everyone is welcome to play with the ultimate goal of building character in each and every player is truly making an impact in these young players’ lives,” said Craig Morris, USTA Chief Executive, Community Tennis. “We are proud to recognize him for continuous efforts in growing the game, especially through his remarkable JTT program.”
The USTA annually honors an individual who positively influences children’s lives and substantially impacts their community with the Janet Louer Junior Team Tennis National Organizer of the Year Award. The award is named after Janet Louer, who was instrumental in the development of junior tennis during her lifetime. As the administrator for USTA JTT in Georgia, Louer 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.
USTA Junior Team Tennis emphasizes the benefits of tennis, including teamwork and fitness, for players of various ages and skill levels. A competitive, multi-week program, USTA Junior Team Tennis encourages boys and girls, ages 6 to 18, to compete with teams from the same geographic region in five age divisions; 8 & under, 10 & under, 12 & under, 14 & under and 18 & under.
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