Net Generation Highlights New England Tennis Weekend

CAPE NEDDICK, ME- USTA’s new youth brand, Net Generation, is officially here, and it was brought to the forefront at the second annual New England Tennis Weekend.

More than 100 guests from organizations including tennis clubs, parks and recreation departments and Community Tennis Associations and National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapters joined the USTA New England board and staff from November 10-11 at the scenic Cliff House in Cape Neddick, ME.

“Tennis Weekend is the pinnacle of our year in New England, and we want to continue to make this event a terrific offering for our providers to learn and network so they can bring back new ideas and resources to their communities,” said Sarah Rice, USTA New England Manager, Community Development and event organizer.

Craig Morris, USTA’s Director of Community Tennis and Net Generation leader, presented on and moderated a panel discussion on New Generation and familiarizing and educating the New England tennis community with it.

“Net Generation is here to unify the tennis community in the United States, and New England is a significant part of that, so the more we can get our providers to link into it and to grow the sport and get more kids into the game, the better,” Morris said. “This weekend was fantastic to have so many providers in one spot and talk about so many great things going on in New England and how Net Generation can support them.”

In addition to Morris, Tennis Weekend featured presenters including Oris Stuart, Chief Diversity Officer for the NBA, USTA National and New England staff and other industry experts.

“It was such a great weekend to get so many people from different parts of tennis together,” said David Colby, Director of Junior Tennis at the Manchester Athletic Club and New England Net Generation Ambassador. “It is tough when you’re living in a vacuum, so it’s important to get out there and see what’s happening in the industry and listen to people present and share their ideas.”

Colby demonstrated the free resources and practice and play plans in his on-court session with fellow Net Generation Ambassador, Kendra Becker.

“We were really trying to show the ease of use of the Net Generation app and then bring it to life in our session,” Colby said. “We’re at a point in tennis where there is a great deal of fluidity and many new things happening, and Net generation is going to change things in a positive way.”

Net Generation features a variety of resources in written form and in audio and video. With the new brand and application, providers as well as current and prospective junior players will all be able to find programs, tips and information all in one location.

“The app is really easy to use and straight forward, and once people start getting into it a little, they’re going to be very happy,” Colby added. 

The weekend kicked off with an educational workshop for Junior Team Tennis Coordinators as well as a power lunch for NJTL leaders. The event continued with a variety of sessions, a networking reception and dinner, a panel discussion and Stuart’s closing session on diversity and inclusion.

Net Generation is currently available to providers and will be available to consumers in March 2018.

To view photos from New England Tennis Weekend, click here.