Each year, USTA Mid-Atlantic awards grants to organizations making a positive impact in their community through tennis with innovative and engaging programming. This year’s awardees are working hard to grow tennis, and we’re proud to support each of them through these grants.

Without further ado, 2016’s Opportunity and Program grant recipients!

ACEing Autism will provide a weekly recreational program to children diagnosed with autism between the ages of 6 and 18. The program is designed to provide a low-cost option for families to have access to a physical activity through the help of dedicated volunteers. Many kids who first learn how to play tennis through ACEing Autism become lifelong tennis fanatics!

Baltimore Curriculum Project runs a nonprofit Youth Tennis League with teams from five charter schools in Baltimore City. This league gives kids an opportunity to spend their time after school in a positive environment while learning basic tennis skills and competing in a fun atmosphere. By exposing these students to tennis, BCP provides them much-needed  after-school programming that supports lifelong fitness.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington will expand its tennis curriculum in Suitland, Md. from just during the summertime to include after-school options as well. Most of the tennis players at Boys & Girls Clubs are new to the sport, so the program focuses on teaching tennis fundamentals in addition to providing overall wellness education.

 Freedom Flow Fellowship Ministries in Clinton, Md. will throw Birthday Tennis celebrations to attract new youths to play tennis in a fun environment. These celebrations will be a tennis-themed party, and participants who have a birthday in that month will be especially celebrated.

Hayfield Secondary School is planning to expand tennis programs in the Hayfield community beyond the high school and will use Play Days, socials, and instructional courses to reach a broader audience of kids and adults. By providing opportunities to younger kids and their families to play tennis in the community and growing the game organically, Hayfield High School hopes to become a “tennis hub” in the area.

Metropolitan Tennis and Education Group provides world-class tennis training to kids of all ages and backgrounds allowing anyone to reach their potential as a competitive tennis player. New to the organization is the Train Up First curriculum that focuses on life skills to help players succeed on and off the court.

Richmond Tennis Association is committed to providing 8U and 10U Junior Team Tennis in an inclusive and educational environment. From Beginner to Advanced, all JTT divisions have grown recently in Richmond, and USTA Mid-Atlantic’s grant will allow RTA to provide more equipment that will allow even more kids to play Junior Team Tennis and fall in love with the sport of tennis.

Richmond Tennis Association turns two full-size courts into eight 36′ courts to accommodate a large group!

USTA Mid-Atlantic offers grants for individuals and organizations to help grow tennis in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. For more information about these grants and the application process, visit our site!

Chris Lewitzke is the Social Media & Engagement Coordinator at USTA Mid-Atlantic.