2012 USTA/Midwest Section Year In Review - 2012 | Page 26

COMMUNITY TENNIS DIVERSITY & INCLUSION The charge of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee is to identify and take the lead in removing barriers so that tennis reflects all of America. We strive to have diverse representation in the workplace, player participation, marketplace, communities and in the behaviors and practices that promote inclusiveness. Diversity Partnerships We are happy to announce that the USTA/Midwest Section Community Development Division was awarded $7,500 from the USTA Diversity Department to support and promote adult tennis participation through company employee resource groups, as well as grow the number of 10 & Under tournaments offered by diverse providers. In addition, Michigan Special Olympics hosted an In-service activity so that three chapters can begin teaching tennis in their programming. The afternoon session picked up at Five Seasons Family Sports Club and began with a wheelchair demonstration and instruction by coaches Dan Bolhouse and Paul Moran. This year PTR partnered with the Coaches Workshop to conduct a full PTR Jr. Certification Training where nine coaches either renewed or received a PTR Jr. Certification. In conjunction with the PTR Certification, the remaining attendees participated in court sessions led by Greg Boyd on school assemblies, Leah Friedman with 10 and Under competition, and Aaron Mabra with cardio-tennis drills. On the last day, the annual Spring Meeting for ATA’s Mid-TAC was held. Program and Individual Grants We are proud to announce that Diversity Program Grants were awarded to 32 diverse programs which supported either Youth Team Tennis, USTA Jr. Team Tennis, or USTA League programs. In addition, Diversity Individual Player Grants were awarded to 38 developing players, between eight and fourteen years old. The money will help offset tournament, program, travel, and equipment expenses for these young players. Junior Excellence Camp The Junior Excellence Camp was conducted September 28-30, 2012 at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. The camp brought together 68 talented, diverse junior players and 12 coaches within the USTA/Midwest Section. Lead Coach Ryan Sachire, Associate Head Coach for the University of Notre Dame Men’s Tennis, provided a lesson plan similar to ones used by coaches at USTA High Performance Camps and for his collegiate team. This year Jeff French, GAMMA representative, attended the camp to provide racket demos, wristbands and racket strings. Jeff also spoke on sponsorship opportunities with GAMMA for the kids. Diversity Coaches’ Workshop The workshop took place May 18-20, 2012 in Indianapolis and brought together 42 coaches. The morning session featured presentations by Dr. Dozie Onunkwo on nutrition, Nick Parkevich on how to find funding for programs, Jason Susha with the pathway to college tennis, and Steve Keller from PTR on benefits of having a teaching certification. Diversity Regional Camps This year was the first year of our Diversity Regional Camps. The first camp was in Okemos, Mich. and we welcomed 13 kids from four districts. The second camp was in Chicago with 25 kids from four districts participating. The purpose of the camps was to identify talent of diverse players and coaches in the Section, as well as provide up-to-date training to players. We look forward to conducting more of these in the coming year. Wheelchair Tennis Two new wheelchair programs started in 2012; one in Kalamazoo, Mich. and Royal Oak, Mich. In addition to new programming, there was a recreational and novice division added to two Midwest Wheelchair tournaments. We are also happy to announce that USTA/Midwest Section Diversity and Inclusion Committee Member Curt Bender was appointed to serve as a member of the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Committee. We thank the Diversity Committee members, USTA/Midwest Section staff, and USTA/Midwest Section Board of Directors for their support and guidance in growing the game of tennis through inclusion. Submitted by: Julia Steele, Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chair 26 USTA MIDWEST › 2012 year in review 27