AGAWAM, MA- Wednesday, April 26, marked USTA New England’s first Organizational Member Summit of 2017. Around 50 guests showed up to Crestview Country Club in Agawam, MA to be introduced to USTA’s new youth brand, Net Generation. 

USTA New England staff led a presentation educating local tennis experts about the new youth brand that expects to alter the landscape of youth tennis in America.

 

“We are really excited to share Net Generation with our dedicated New England tennis community. This brand is inclusive of all existing and future youth programs and is also a vessel for us to introduce the game to a wider audience,” said Alex Hinckley, USTA New England Director of Marketing.

Hinckley and Executive Director Matt Olson opened the event with an introduction to Net Generation, which included the overall mission of welcoming a new generation of players and the path to achieve that goal.

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By working with coaches, schools and parents, and offering them the full support, USTA hopes to create a positive and welcoming environment for all kids.

“Being a coach, it intrigues me to find out new initiatives through the USTA and what we’re doing for the kids throughout the nation, and this was a very informative presentation” said Ryan Harry, Director of Tennis and Head Tennis Pro at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. “I think it’s important to expand our sport and our brand of tennis, and this is doing it with colors and making it ‘cool’, so I think we’re making the right move as a sport.”

USTA New England’s Director of Community Tennis, Karen Zuidema, then led a panel of section staff who expanded upon the benefits of Net Generation throughout different avenues of youth tennis. Jon Kostek, Youth Play Manager, focused on the benefits of USTA Junior Team Tennis, Jenn Myatt, Connecticut Tennis Service Representative, explained how it will be implemented into the schools, and Woody Freeman, Tournament and Rankings Manager, highlighted the effect it would have on junior tournaments. 

“I learned about how the communication is going to work and the plan moving forward about educating parents. Something I’m very passionate about is making sure parents have good information and to really teach them before their kids and students are taught,” said Myles Utell, Head Coach at New Hampshire Tennis Academy. “Before they play at a competitive level, the kids will be given the right start. I think that’s what Net Generation is going to provide, a really great start that pros and clubs and programs can build on.”

For more information on Net Generation and how you can get involved, visit netgeneration.com.

To view photos from the event, click here.