WITT Inspires Young Women In Tennis

WESTBOROUGH, MA- For the fourth consecutive year, USTA New England successfully hosted a series of inspirational events throughout New England for young women. Women In Tennis Together (WITT) events brought girls ages 13-18 and prominent women in the tennis world together for a day of tennis, learning and inspiration.

This spring, USTANE put on five WITT events, all hosted by local coaches and facilities.

“We are thrilled to see the growth of this program. We know what an impact it has on so many young women, and we hope to give that same opportunity to more tennis players in years to come,” said Chantal Roche, USTA New England Diversity & Inclusion Manager and series organizer.

The April and May events took place at the following facilities: Vermont- Middlebury Indoor Tennis; Connecticut- Connecticut Tennis Center; Maine- York Golf and Tennis; Eastern Massachusetts- Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Center; and Rhode Island- Bryant University.

Seventy-five players, 20 coaches and several volunteers turned out for the series, which consisted of on-court match play, one-on-one coaching with Net Generation certified coaches, interactive games and an off-court enrichment session. 

“WITT was designed to give our junior players the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the industry and give them the confidence to succeed both on the court and in life,” said Shawna Fors, USTA New England Player Development Manager and co-organizer.

WITT players included those who compete in USTA New England tournaments, Junior Team Tennis and high school tennis.

“Being a part of a community is vital to self-discovery and empowerment. By providing an opportunity for participants to meet peers from around the state, the girls quickly shared their interest in and passion for the sport,” said Erin Morrison, Vermont’s event host and coach.

Other local hosts were: Mavi Sanchez-Skakle, Connecticut; Lisa Wilcott, Maine; Gayna Sealy, Eastern Massachusetts; and Courtney Smith, Rhode Island.

All who participated in any WITT event were invited to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI in July during the Hall of Fame Open for a section-wide WITT event and celebration. The day included a viewing of quarterfinal ATP action, the women’s exhibition and an impactful presentation by CEO of the American Confidence Institute, Alyssa Dver.

USTA New England plans to continue the WITT series in 2020. For more details on 2019 WITT, click here.