IMPAKT Tennis Receives National Wheelchair Grant
December 20, 2011 05:53 PM
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IMPAKT Tennis Clinic - Coach Lee Williamson with participant, Henrik Hartz
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USTA AWARDS $50,000 IN WHEELCHAIR PROGRAM GRANTS TO 16 PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE
Grants Target Organizations Involved in Growing Wheelchair Tennis In Local Communities
For the fourth consecutive year, USTA is awarding $50,000 in USTA Grassroots Wheelchair Program Grants to 16 wheelchair tennis programs across the country. Grants were awarded to local organizations, including NorCal's IMPAKT Adpative Sports, that promote and develop the growth of wheelchair tennis and use the sport of tennis to build stronger, healthier communities. Since the inaugural grants in 2008, the total pool of USTA wheelchair tennis grant money has increased each year.
Tracey Milne, director of IMPAKT Adaptive Sports has led a busy 2011, networking, building relationships, collaborating with program developers and building a local wheelchair tennis community. "We will continue to build a stronger tennis program in Marin County by expanding our coaching resources. We will provide wonderful options to our local players seeking to improve their game and meet other players as well as opportunities for additional tennis instructors who can help recruit players."
Grant amounts were based on each program's existing budget and the future programming needs of the organization. Recipients can use the award to fund a variety of needs, including coaching, court time, equipment, recruitment and events (tournaments, camps, etc.).
"We are thrilled to again recognize local organizations across the country that are committed to promoting and growing wheelchair tennis," said Dan James, USTA National Manager, Wheelchair Tennis. "These grants are just a part of our continued efforts in supporting important programs that reach out to the wheelchair community through tennis and assist in the development of the sport. The USTA is proud to honor these organizations that show such passion for wheelchair tennis."
The USTA grants are being awarded to the following organizations:
Apex Park & Recreation District–Arvada Tennis Center, Arvada, Colo.
Barshop Jewish Community Center of San Antonio, San Antonio, Tex.
Colorado Wheelchair Tennis Foundation, Denver, Colo.
Gene Orlando’s Wheelchair Tennis Program, Lansing, Mich.
Georgia Tennis Foundation, Atlanta
Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Henry County Parks & Recreation, Locust Grove, Ga.
Idaho Wheelchair Tennis Association, Boise, Idaho
IMPAKT Tennis, Corte Madera, Calif.
Richmond Tennis Association, Richmond, Va.
The Greater Cincinnati Tennis Association, Cincinnati, Ohio
Turnstone Center for Disabled Children & Adults, Fort Wayne, Ind.
USTA Southern Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.
Walton Foundation for Independence, Augusta, Ga.
West Coast Wheelchair Tennis Association, Woodland Hills, Calif.
Wheelchair Sports Federation, Middle Village, N.Y.
Additional USTA Wheelchair Tennis Grant opportunities will be announced in 2012. Organizations that are interested in starting a wheelchair tennis program or would like more information about wheelchair tennis can email wheelchairinfo@usta.com.