USTA awards grants record funds to wheelchair tennis projects

“These organisations positively impact wheelchair tennis players and these grants are just a part of the continued effort in implementing programmes that support the wheelchair community through tennis and foster growth and achievement in individual players.”

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has announced that it is awarding a record USD 86,000 in USTA Wheelchair Tennis Grassroots Grants to 20 wheelchair tennis programmes nationwide.

Grants were awarded to local organisations 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, with 2014 being the year with the largest amount granted to wheelchair programming by the USTA.

Grant amounts were based on each programme's existing budget and the future programmatic needs of the organisation. Recipients can use the award to meet the USTA’s grant initiatives including coaching, court time, equipment, recruitment and events (tournaments, camps, etc.).

“Wheelchair tennis continues to grow in the United States and the USTA is delighted to award a record amount of wheelchair tennis grassroots grants to deserving wheelchair tennis organisations for their commitment in promoting and growing the sport,” said Dan James, USTA National Manager, Wheelchair Tennis. “These organisations positively impact wheelchair tennis players and these grants are just a part of the continued effort in implementing programmes that support the wheelchair community through tennis and foster growth and achievement in individual players.”

The USTA grants are being awarded to the following organisations:

- Bennett Institute of Physically Challenged Sports, Baltimore

- Chattahoochee Foundation, Atlanta

- City of Fort Lauderdale Parks & Recreation, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

- Colorado Wheelchair Tennis Foundation, Denver

- Dwight Davis Memorial Tennis Center, St. Louis

- Houston Wheelchair Tennis Program & Team, Cypress, Texas

- Idaho Wheelchair Tennis Association, Boise, Idaho

- Las Vegas Wheelchair Tennis, Las Vegas

- Mid-Carolina Tennis Association, Rock Hill, S.C.

- Orthotic and Prosthetic Activities Foundation, Charlotte, N.C.

- Southern Crescent Tennis Association, Peachtree City, Ga.

- Sportability of Iowa, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

- Sportable, Richmond, Va.

- Tennis 4 Every 1, The Woodlands, Texas

- University of Alabama – Adaptive Athletics, Tuscaloosa, Ala.

- University of Houston – Adaptive Athletics, Houston

- Utah Tennis Association, Salt Lake City

- West Coast Wheelchair Tennis Association, North Hollywood, Calif.

- Wheelchair Sports Federation, Middle Village, N.Y.

- Wheelchair Sports Inc., Wichita, Kan.

Additional USTA Wheelchair Tennis Grant opportunities will be announced in 2015.