ROLL WITH IT USTA WHEELCHAIR TENNIS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER Issue 1 Roll With It USTA Wheelchair Tennis Monthly Newsletter February 3, 2017 IN THIS ISSUE Conner Stroud wins the doubles title at La Meet the new national staff Petits As in France. Conner Stroud wins in France byIt hasJason already Allen been an exciting start to the "I can't image a better tournament for any David Wagner wins in New Year. Recently, Conner Stroud and young player anywhere in the world, and the Australia National Coach Paul Walker travelled to level of play is truly remarkable,” said Coach Upcoming tournaments Tarbes, France to compete in the world Walker. Grassroots update renowned La Petits As tournament. Conner New Wheelchair Committee is the current US #1 and ITF world #6 junior The USTA is extremely proud of Conner and is hopeful for many more years of success. wheelchair player. He did not return empty handed. Playing in his first ITF Junior This March, he will take part in a training Masters, Conner advanced out of pool play camp at the National Campus in Orlando, and eventually lost to tournament champion Florida. The camp will serve to prepare him Martin De La Puente (Spain) in the and two other teammates for the Men’s semifinals. He partnered with Ruben World Team Cup Qualifier in Quito, Ecuador Spaargaren of the Netherlands and came from March 7-11. National Manager Jason home to Rutherford, NC with a Junior Harnett and National Team Manager Jason Masters Doubles Title. In pool play, Conner Allen will travel with Conner, Chris Herman, and Casey Ratzlaff. defeated current ITF world #1 Sam Schroder (Netherlands) and Ruairi Logan (GBR). Also in attendance at the camp will be some Conner and Ruben defeated Logan and Alwande Skhosana (RSA) for the doubles of Team USA’s best players; Nick Taylor, title. David Wagner, and Dana Mathewson. Additionally, coaches Paul Walker and John The Les Petits As tournament is the unofficial Devorss will take part. There will be more 14 and under world championships. Held for information regarding this event in the past 35 years in Tarbes, Les Petits As subsequent newsletters. produces an unmatched junior tennis playing atmosphere! Massive crowds turn out to show support for the future stars of the ATP, WTA and UNIQLO tennis tours. Pictured above: Doubles Masters Tournament in Mission Viejo, CA in November 2016. ROLL WITH IT USTA WHEELCHAIR TENNIS MONTHLY 2 NEWSLETTER | Issue 1 Jason Harnett Jason Harnett is a 1994 graduate of the University of Washington with a B.A. in Political Science. He played four years of collegiate tennis for the Huskies, finishing as Captain and Men’s Intercollegiate Department Representative his senior year. He joined the USTA High Performance Wheelchair Staff in 1998 and has coached the US Teams to eight World Joanne Wallen Championships. He successfully coached Joanne “Jo” Wallen brings an amazing amount of the Quad Team to seven World Team Cup passion and professionalism to the USTA National victories. In 2015 he led the Junior Team Office. Tennis is the only thing she has ever done and it to their first World Team Cup will remain the only thing she ever wants to do. She has Championship in 15 years. He also has two POSITIONS REARRANGED experience and success in every facet of tennis from years of coaching experience with the Men’s being a world class junior and player on the WTA tour, Team. Harnett was named Assistant Coach When Jo Wallen’s position was created it managing one of the biggest tennis clubs in the south, allowed a restructuring of Wheelchair Tennis at developing players from the ground up, running at the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. He also served as Assistant Coach at the National Office. Essentially, the job of one tournaments, managing leagues, and too many other man was spread among three people. In doing areas to mention. She is now heading up the Adult the 2007, 2011 and 2015 Parapan American so, Jason Harnett began to focus heavily on Individual Play for USTA National. In this position she Games. High Performance players and Jason Allen on also heads up Wheelchair Tennis. If you would like to grassroots and recreational wheelchair tennis. reach out to her, write to [email protected]. In 2007, he was awarded the “Wheelchair Jo, at the helm, assists both Jasons on a daily Tennis Champion of the Year” by Tennis basis to Industry Magazine and in 2008, honored as the “ITF Wheelchair Coach of the Year.” Harnett was honored in 2012 as the “USTA/USOC Paralympic Tennis Coach of the Year” and was a Finalist for the USOC Paralympic Coach of the Year Award. In USTA National Campus 2012, he was honored by his players with the “Order of Ikkos Medal” at the 2012 Common Purpose Paralympic Games in London. He is currently on the IWTA Wheelchair Coaches Committee as well. “We inspire a love for Jason Allen American tennis by Jason Allen is new to the USTA after having worked in Additionally, Harnett has trained former and the private tennis sector and public education. He creating memorable current World #1 players: David Wagner, played Number #1 Singles and Doubles at Gardner- experiences for everyone.” Webb University where he received a degree in Spanish Stephen Welch, Nick Taylor, Rick Draney, Education. Since then he has taught Spanish and Brian Hanson and Chris Studwell. Spanish Literature at the University of Kentucky, La Universidad de Valladolid, Spain and at other public high Harnett is a USPTA Certified Professional schools in TN, NC, and KY. He left a career as the 9th and was chosen the 2000 and 2007 and 10th grade Assistant Principal in North Carolina to “Wheelchair Coach of the Year” by the join the USTA as Manager of Wheelchair and Technical. Southern California/USPTA Section. In 2014, he was honored with the “USPTA California Division President Award” and chosen by the Orange County Register as one the “Top 100 Most Influential People.” Jason Harnett currently resides in Orlando, Florida, with his wife Jennifer and three children, Benjamin, Angelina and Broderick. ROLL WITH IT USTA WHEELCHAIR TENNIS MONTHLY 3 NEWSLETTER | Issue 1 DAVID WAGNER WINS THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN DOUBLES David Wagner and Andy Lapthorne beat Australia's USTA AWARDS MORE THAN $150,000 Paralympic gold medalists Dylan Alcott and Heath Davidson 6-3 6-3 in the final. IN USTA WHEELCHAIR TENNIS GRASSROOTS GRANTS TO 21 WHEELCHAIR TENNIS PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE "I'm so pleased to win my fifth title here," said Lapthorne. "Beating the Paralympic gold medalists is a very special feeling." “Wheelchair tennis continues to grow in Of course, America’s David Wagner is no stranger to stature and popularity in the United States winning. He is one of the most decorated American by [Article Author] and the USTA is proud to award these grants Tennis players of all time with some staggering to deserving wheelchair tennis organizations accomplishments. Here are a few: 20 Grand Slam Titles, for their commitment in promoting and 9 Singles Masters, 10 Doubles Masters, and 3 Gold 3 growing the sport,” said Kurt Kamperman, Silver and 2 Bronze Medals at the Paralympic Games. Grant Targets Organizations That Grow Chief Executive, Community Tennis and Moreover, in speaking with him over the phone, he has far too many Super Series titles to count. Wheelchair Tennis USTA National Campus. “These In Their Local Communities organizations positively impact wheelchair tennis and we know that these grants will be a part of a continued effort in expanding The USTA announced that it is awarding programs that support the wheelchair $150,000 in USTA Wheelchair Tennis community through tennis and foster growth Grassroots Grants to deserving wheelchair and success in players.” tennis programs nationwide. Grants were awarded to local organizations that promote and develop the growth of wheelchair tennis The grants are being awarded to the and use the sport of tennis to build stronger, following organizations: healthier communities. The first USTA • 2 Bounce Tennis, La Quinta, Calif.* Wheelchair Tennis Grassroots Grants were • Adaptive Athletics at the University awarded in 2008 and since then, the USTA of Houston, Houston, Texas** has given more than $600,000 to wheelchair • Asociación de tenis de Puerto Rico, tennis programs across the country. San Juan, PR* Upcoming tournaments in • Brandt Sports Management, March Grant amounts were based on each Orlando, Fla. program's existing budget and the future Rock and Roll Tennis Classic – March 5 - • CHI Health, Omaha, Neb. Tournament ID 700052117 programmatic needs of the organization. Recipients can use the award to meet the • Columbus Corporation, Oklahoma EZMED Arizona Open – March 16 – Tournament USTA’s grant initiatives including coaching, City, Okla. ID 750004217 court time, equipment, recruitment and • Lakeshore Foundation, events (tournaments, camps, etc.). USTA Birmingham, Ala. Cajun Classic – March 22 – Tournament ID Wheelchair Tennis Grassroots Grants were a • Lee County Community Tennis 700010617 total of $50,000. The other grants were from Association, Fort Myers, Fla.* the Wheelchair Tennis Pathway Grant which was funded by the USTA Foundation. The • Michigan State University Adaptive funds were made possible through monies Sports, East Lansing, Mich. given by the Neilsen Foundation. The Neilsen • Mid Carolina Tennis Association, Foundation gave a total of $100,000 to be Rock Hill, S.C. used for grantees, the purchase of 10 tennis • Orthotic and Prosthetic Activities wheelchairs, and money designated to be Foundation, Charlotte, N.C.* used for USTA All Comers Camps. ROLL WITH IT USTA WHEELCHAIR TENNIS MONTHLY 4 NEWSLETTER | Issue 1 • Paula G Manship YMCA, Baton Rouge, La. • Plantation Community Tennis, Plantation, Fla. Player Spotlight • Ray and Joan Kroc Center, Dana Mathewson is a rising Greenville, S.C.