2022 Board of Directors

Rising To The Challenge Of An Ever-Evolving ALTA

BY BILL PRICE, ALTA BOARD CHAIRMAN

Iam honored to be the 2022 ALTA Board of Directors Chairman. My journey to this point has led me through virtually every aspect of the ALTA organization. I began playing ALTA in the early 90s and was hooked immediately. As time went by, I began to captain teams and even volunteered to be scorekeeper for our division. My ALTA volunteer journey continued as a coordinator in both the Mixed and Men’s Leagues. After several seasons, I became an overall coordinator and then the Mixed Doubles Vice President. As VP Mixed, I was part of the Executive Committee and ALTA Rules Committee. In this role, I learned the operations of the leagues and the rules governing them. Following two years as VP Mixed, I became First Vice President and then the 2019 ALTA President.

ALTA is a unique organization known to most for league play. League play is run by the Executive Committee, which is made up of the vice presidents of the various leagues and a few other members. The Board of Directors is made up of various committees that oversee the business of ALTA. These committees address initiatives such as IT, ALTA policy and procedures, and nomination of officers. Another area of board oversite is the ALTA Foundation. The foundation is the non-profit, community outreach arm of ALTA. It supports programs such as START, which is a tennis development program at Title I high schools; the L. Keith Wood Scholarship Program; Special Olympics; Special Pops Tennis; and much more. COVID has made the past few years challenging for everyone, and this has been no different for ALTA. We’ve had to change the way we do things and remain flexible, and because we were able to do just that, we are in a great position coming out of COVID. We see membership growing in all leagues, especially with juniors. We’re looking at new ways of doing things for our members that we may not have done in the past; thinking outside the box can benefit everyone. TenWe’re looking nis, and particularly ALTA, benefits from people lookat new ways of ing for safe, social and recdoing things for reational activity. The board will continue to protect the our members great tradition and history that we may not have done of ALTA, while being mindful that change is not always bad, and new ideas keep us in the past; fresh and growing.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX CAN BENEFIT EVERYONE.

Chequetta Allen Keri Beck Sandy Depa

Southwest DeKalb High School is one of the latest schools to join the ALTA Foundation’s START (Support for Teaching Atlanta Recreational Tennis) Program.

Giving For The Greater Good

BY RITA MALOOF, ALTA FOUNDATION PRESIDENT

ALTA members know the backbone or our organization stems from the tremendous work ethic of our volunteers. They give their time and effort to help captains and players experience fun, competition, and friendships that come along with it. Giving is key to our organization. One way you give is through the purchase of your ALTA membership. A percentage of those annual dues is shared with the ALTA Foundation, which is planning an even bigger and better year in 2022.

The ALTA Foundation was formed in 1986 to promote health, character, sportsmanship, and responsible citizenship utilizing the game of tennis to support the community. The generosity of your membership allows the foundation to not only assist amateur athletes, but to offer financial support of programs for the disadvantaged and for those who are physically and mentally challenged. Programs will continue to be funded throughout 2022. We are delighted to kick off the year with the L. Keith Wood Scholarship Program and the START Program.

2021 Scholarship recipients

2022 L. Keith Wood Scholarship Program is now accepting applications!

The ALTA Foundation is excited to once again offer graduating high school students who have participated in the ALTA Junior Leagues, and/or the ALTA Junior Challenge Ladder, and/or the ALTA START program an opportunity to receive a $2,500 scholarship to an accredited college, university or technical school of their choice. Eight recipients who have a passion for the game of tennis and represent the community spirit of ALTA will be selected from applications submitted. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply.

Award Timeline:

• Applications will be accepted starting on Feb. 14, 2022. • The deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 15, 2022. • Winners will be announced Friday, May 6, 2022, via the

ALTA website, social media, and membership email.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must have played at least one year (2 seasons) in the

ALTA Junior Leagues, and/or one year in the ALTA Junior

Challenge Ladder, and/or one year on an ALTA START

High School Team • Be a graduating Georgia high school student from a public, private or home school institution, and pursuing a post-secondary education in the fall of 2022 • Be a legal resident of Georgia and a U.S. citizen • Relatives of current/recent (past 4 years) ALTA Executive

Committee, ALTA Board of Directors, and the ALTA Foundation are ineligible.

Selection Criteria:

• Display of passion for the game of tennis • Confirmation of scholastic ability and intellectual curiosity • Evidence of leadership and involvement • Service to community • Outstanding character

For more information, visit altatennis.org/AltaFoundation.aspx

Southwest DeKalb High School

OFF TO A FAST START!

With GHSA spring sports under way, the ALTA Foundation START (Support for Teaching Atlanta Recreational Tennis) Program teams are in the spotlight. Joining our original Cobb County Title 1 pilot schools, Pebblebrook High School and Osborne High School, we welcome:

South Gwinnett High School Snellville, GA

Coach: Lydia Munoz Tennis Program: Varsity and JV-Boys and Girls Projected # of Players: 24 Mascot: Comets According to Coach Munoz, “Funding from this START grant would impact our tennis program by allowing us to have the funds to hire a certified community coach. Most of our students started learning how to play tennis in high school, so they would benefit greatly from having a professional who can help newer players learn basic strokes and skills as well as improve the game play of more experienced players.”

Southwest DeKalb High School Decatur, GA

Coach: Lance Davenport Tennis Program: Varsity and JV-Boys and Girls Projected # of Players: 32 Mascot: Panthers “The START grant allows us to immediately purchase some much-needed equipment, such as balls and ball hoppers, maybe even a ball machine, and help offset the cost of uniform purchases. We don’t have a booster club and being able to offer a stipend to community coaches would be huge,” says Coach Davenport. Best of luck to all four schools in region play! In recognition of the additional resources needed in Title I high schools for tennis, grants are available to provide funding for supplemental tennis needs, including coaching certifications, coaching stipends, and equipment needs.

More information and applications for the ALTA Foundation START program can be found at by contacting foundationpresident@altatennis.org.

JUNIOR PILOT PROGRAM Growing the Game: ALTA’s New Junior Program is a Big Hit!

BY EMMY POWELL, NET NEWS EDITOR

If you’re new to Atlanta or just picking up the game of tennis, it doesn’t take long for one of your friends, co-workers, or even a parent to mention how great it can be to play ALTA. We offer something for everyone. From beginner to advanced, you can find a team that fits your skill level. This includes our juniors, who can play on a team when they turn 7 years old and remain in the league until they reach age 18.

As our 2022 President Lamar Scott mentioned in his letter (see page 4), we are expanding our horizons. We are now allowing ALTA members who are 16 or 17 years old to play with adults at the AA level. This program is available in the Thursday Women, Sunday Women, Men’s, and Mixed Doubles Leagues. Scott says attracting young players to ALTA is essential. This pilot program was launched in the fall 2021 season and has been very successful. “We’ve heard so much positive feedback from parents, coaches, and the players. Not only does this allow them to compete at a high level, but it also exposes them to doubles and helps these players understand strategy, movement, and what is takes to win at this level,” says Scott.

At age 17, Claire Giddings first participated in the program when she joined a Sunday Women’s team. When she turned 18, she continued to play at the AA level by joining a Mixed Doubles team. “Playing in this league has been one of the best experiences I have had in ALTA,” she said. “You can practice your doubles game at a high level and have fun with it, without having the stress that comes in a junior tournament where if you win or lose determines if you have another match.” Giddings adds that this type of play has helped her become more aggressive on the court and strengthened her serve and net game. “To any junior who is thinking about playing AA, I highly suggest you do it! It will be the most fun you can have; you’re on a team with high-level players, and you get to improve your doubles’ skills,” she said.

Improving their doubles skills is just one of the benefits for these juniors. For 16-year-old Elle Sceney, she gets the added bonus of playing with her dad, Brad Sceney, who is one of the most well-respected and talented players in the Atlanta area. Elle says she loves to play on a team with her dad and says this experience is much different than playing with juniors. “I realized in the first match how much faster the points were. Sometimes it was just a serve and return, or the point was over in the next shot or just a few shots. In juniors, the points last much longer,” she says. This type of play has helped her be more active at the net. She also says any junior looking to improve his or her doubles skills and who wants to learn how to think more on the court while focusing on what to do on each point would enjoy this level of play. Brad, too, is enjoying the opportunity to play with his daughter. Through the years, they have watched each other play a lot of matches but have not played together as a team. “So, to play and just have fun on the court is a great experience for me,” he said. “I try to just play the role of her doubles partner and remove the coach or father role. So far, so good.”

These juniors get to experience playing a different style of doubles than that to which they are accustomed. “Many of these players are hoping to play college tennis, and the experience they are getting as they head into college is extremely beneficial,” says Brad. He also believes this is increasing the pool of AA players, and that can only strengthen the competition. “If we want to make AA ALTA the highest-level competition in Atlanta, bringing top-level juniors into this league certainly helps achieve that,” he said. “Knowing we are helping them with their tennis, regardless of what end of the court you are on, is very satisfying.”

ALTA has officially made this pilot initiative a permanent league program and will continue to look for ways to strengthen and develop junior and adult leagues to benefit our ALTA members.