LEAGUE NEWS
It Takes A Village BY BRENDA MADDALENI, JUNIOR CHALLENGE LADDER VICE PRESIDENT
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Junior Challenge Ladder Managers Depria Jones – Boys Lower Ladder Manager Michelle McKinnon – Boys Upper Ladder Manager Stacey Simmons – Girls Upper Ladder Manager Anthony Swatski – Girls Lower Ladder Manager Community support is a key component of the JCL season. We also gather players for the opening kick-off, several round robins across the city, and an end-of-season banquet. Cindy Pietkiewicz supports this endeavor by working with facility directors to donate the use of their courts for round robins. She sets up the events and coordinates with the JCL volunteer team to run the events. New this year, we have parent volunteers assisting to help make the event run smoothly to allow players to get in as much match play as possible. We could not pull this off without the support of facility directors in the community.
NETNEWS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
2021 Upcoming ALTA JCL Events Riverside Club – November 12 Sandy Springs Tennis Center – November 13 Harrison Tennis Center – December 12 Players and parents are the main ingredients to ensure a successful season. We teach the kids to take ownership of their scheduling via Tennis Rungs and their ladder manager. This requires independence and initiative. Many of our players are under 16 and need their parents’ help to transport them to their matches. There is no coaching allowed or provided, which enables players to work on their skills and enforce good sportsmanship on their own with their parents on the sidelines cheering on both players. The Truist Atlanta Open provides a unique opportunity for JCL players to participate in a clinic with tennis professionals. Players are recognized during the event and receive complimentary tickets to a match during the tournament. This year, the players met Luke Jensen and enjoyed great tennis on the Stadium Court. For a sneak peek at their experience, scan this QR code. This is my second year as the vice president, and 2021 marks my sixth year volunteering for the Junior Challenge Ladder. It is an amazing experience for the players, volunteers, parents, and community supporters. I am grateful to have the opportunity to volunteer for this league. Thank you, players, parents, JCL volunteers, ALTA, community partners, and the Truist Atlanta Open. It truly does take a village.
Photo by Laura Barnard
JUNIOR CHALLENGE LADDER
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he 2021 season of the ALTA Junior Challenge Ladder (JCL) is off to a gangbuster start! There are a combined 177 girls and boys participating in the 14-week season. The goal of the ladder is to provide match play opportunities in an environment outside of tournament and school team play. The purpose is to get more practice and meet other players in a low-pressure environment. There will be well over 1,000 matches played during the season! Accomplishing this takes a village. The ladder is supported by ALTA volunteers who work as coordinators of their portion of the ladder. They work with the players and their families to get matches scheduled and played, and they often provide support, advice, and mentoring to players and parents.
