USPTA Mid-Atlantic DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION GRANTS

By Jeremy Carl, Chairman of Diversity and Inclusion Committee

The USPTA Mid-Atlantic section is a strong supporter of embracing the diversity of our tennis teaching professionals and those they teach in a welcoming inclusive environment. The USPTA Mid-Atlantic Diversity and Inclusion committee is looking at ways to support teaching professionals who promote diversity and inclusion in their community.

One way the committee is doing this is through a diversity and inclusion grant. The grant purpose is to award USPTA Mid-Atlantic pros who demonstrate a high level of commitment to growing diversity and promoting inclusion throughout their tennis community.

The specifics of the grant include the following details.

Grant Uses - The grant money can be used in the following ways: Grassroots programming for players in areas lacking tennis programming

Diversity and Inclusion tennis events which are designed to bring new players of many backgrounds into the game Sponsor a co-worker (fellow coach) that needs financial assistance with continuing education costs for USPTA World Conference or USPTA Mid-Atlantic event topic means a lot to me as a player, coach and now as a tennis parent to see opportunities for players today that I did not have growing up. I (with my non-profit Serve First Education & Tennis Foundation) have been able to buy tennis equipment and offer free tennis instruction to young players that had never been exposed to tennis.”

Amount - Up to $500 will be awarded.

Dates - The application period will be from August 1, 2023October 31, 2023. The USPTA Mid-Atlantic Diversity and Inclusion Committee will review applications and decide by November 30 which pros will receive the grant money. Pros should include diversity and inclusion actions taken from July 1, 2022July 1, 2023.

Eligibility Requirements - The pro will need to be a USPTA MidAtlantic member in good standing with the USPTA.

Below are some direct reflections on the positive difference the grant has made for USPTA Mid-Atlantic professionals who have received the grant money and what diversity and inclusion means to them.

“I think Diversity and Inclusion are crucial to the success of the growth of tennis. Encouraging diversity and inclusivity helps to create a more welcoming and supportive environment. That goes for participants in tennis, including players, coaches, and fans. This

“The grant I received in support of diversity and inclusion supports my tennis programming that includes tennis lessons for 46 families weekly for over 55 hours a week. Your support enables me to successfully teach players who are 6 to 72 years of age. Your financial and programming support helps mainly update my failing equipment such as ball baskets and new balls. My diverse lessons serve several African Americans, Koreans, Chinese, Vietnamese, multiple families from India, Pakistani, and more with female and male varsity players from 6 of 7 conference teams in our area.”

Coach Abdul, Jordan Athletics Tennis & Sports Manager, USPTA Elite Professional