USTA Connecticut Awards Grants To 8 Grassroots Tennis Organizations

USTA Connecticut recently approved grant requests to help fund eight grassroots tennis organizations throughout the state. Nonprofit tennis groups—including local Community Tennis Associations (CTAs), members of the National Junior Tennis & Learning network (NJTLs), park & recs and schools—can apply for grants to help with programming, equipment and more, for players of all ages and abilities.

Grants are given in two cycles each year. The spring round of grants, which fund summer/fall tennis and education efforts, were awarded to:

* Aces and Academics of New Haven, Inc.

* New HYTEs Inc. of New Haven

* Special Olympics Connecticut

* Norwalk/Stamford Grassroots Tennis & Education

* Town of Cornwall Park & Rec

* Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services

* 6-Love Inc. of Norwalk/Fairfield County

* First Serve Bridgeport

“We’re excited to be able to help grassroots tennis organizations throughout the state deliver tennis and education programs,” says Todd Piker, USTA Connecticut Secretary and Chair of the Grants Committee. “We’re now looking forward to receiving applications for our second round of grants available this fall.”

To apply for a USTA CT grant, click here, or visit www.usta.com/connecticut. Application deadline is Sept. 30.

“Our mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis, and being able to help local organizations with their tennis and education programming is one of the most satisfying things we can do,” says USTA Connecticut President Peter Francesconi. “Tennis participation has been booming over the last year, as both players and nonplayers have found the game to be a perfect social-distancing sport and a way to keep healthy and fit during the pandemic. We’re looking to help keep that momentum going throughout Connecticut, for people of all ages and abilities.”