Dallas Tennis News Label Area A Publication for Members of the Dallas Tennis Association Dallas Tennis Association 14679 Midway Road, Ste 104 DALLAS, TX DALLAS, Addison, TX 75001 TX Addison, Addison, Texas 75001 1396 NO. PERMIT Office 972-387-1538 104 Ste Road, Midway 14679 PAID Dallas Tennis Association Tennis Dallas Fax 972-763-0781 POSTAGE U.S. ORGANIZATION Newsletter email: [email protected] NON-PROFIT Volume 7 Number 4 We serve. Everyone wins. SM Winter 2006 Invest in a Child - Year-End Giving Campaign Outstanding DTA Volunteers by Tina Anderson The DTA recognized two remarkable volun- It is the season of giving, and the children who benefit from the Dallas Tennis Association teers at the Invest in a Child dinner October (DTA) need your help. Did you know that the DTA not only runs leagues and tourna- 13th. This year’s recipients of the DTA Adult ments, but also dedicates more than one-third of its budget to provide free tennis and awards were Anna Nallon and Bob Raedisch. educational programs for low-income children in the Dallas area through the Invest in a Child program? These kids receive tutoring from accredited teachers, access to educa- Anna received the Merle Ellman Award for tional software and computers, tennis instruction from certified tennis pros, tennis equip- her volunteer work with the Dallas Tennis ment, USTA memberships, tournament travel grants and much more. In addition to teach- Association. She started her DTA involve- ing kids how to play tennis, these programs are changing children’s lives. ment by volunteering to assist with the Jun- ior Excellence One of these programs is the National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) Slam Jammers. Slam program when Jammers has three divisions: I - beginners who take lessons each Saturday; II - intermedi- her son began ate players who practice/play three times a week and are beginning to play tournaments; III to participate in - advanced players who practice/play three times a 1998. After at- week and are playing in Championship and Super tending the Championship level tournaments. The DTA pays DTA junior ban- for the participants’ racquets, tennis instruction, tour- quet in 1999, nament fees and travel. The kids must have passing she volunteered grades in school and perform community service. to help and has As a result of the support DTA members like you been helping have given us, 19 Slam Jammer seniors have received every year since college scholarships in the last four years. then to organize Your support of this program keeps kids in school and conduct the and teaches them a sport that keeps them active and DTA Junior helps them develop life skills such as teamwork, leadership, sportsmanship, self-esteem Banquet. She Anna Nallon receives the Merle has been the Ellman Award from DTA President, and discipline. The following is what one of the many thankful parents had to say about Spence Kendrick. what your Invest in a Child contributions have done for her sons: co-chair of this event since 2004 and continued in 2005 and Four of our sons participate in the Slam Jammer program, which has blessed our family 2006 as the co-chair. by teaching them tennis skills, responsibility and self-confidence. The confidence our sons have attained in the Slam Jammer program has improved their grades in school. In 2002 her son, John, moved up from junior Since beginning the program, our two older sons have made the ‘A’ honor roll. Every- tennis to Division 1 college tennis, and she where our sons play, we receive compliments regarding their tennis form and manners. wanted to help more of the upcoming juniors The tennis instruction learned from this program has helped them be gentlemen on and and their parents. She got more involved off the tennis court. Our oldest son is winning tournaments, and we credit his accom- (continued on page 3) plishments entirely to his three-year participation in the Slam Jammer program. Be- cause of the requirement to complete several hours of community service each month, Inside This Issue: our sons have learned the importance of community involvement. Without the Dallas Dallas Tennis Cup 4 Tennis Association offering Slam Jammers, our family could not have afforded this type of quality tennis program. It is our hope that the program gets the support it needs to DPTA News 7 continue being a blessing to other families. DTA Calendar 2 Sherry L. Brown-Wilson From the President 2 To continue providing free educational and tennis programs for Dallas area children, the Junior Recreation News 7 DTA needs your continued contributions. Please help one or more children by donating to League News 5-6 the DTA Invest in a Child Program. Because the DTA is a non-profit organization, all donations are tax deductible and go directly toward the cost of running these programs. Tournament News 3 (continued on page 3) 2 — DALLAS TENNIS ASSOCIATION WINTER 2006 From the President Did you know that over one-third of the DTA budget That is making an impact – that is the DTA. As we head into the holidays, some of us are hanging provides free tennis and educational programs for low I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. I have up our racquets but most serious tennis players are income children in the Dallas area? “Invest in a Child” already asked Santa for Roddick’s serve, Gonzalez’s focusing on what they can do in the off season to improve has programs ranging from after school education and forehand, Blake’s backhand and Federer’s all round their game. The Dallas Tennis Association is currently tutoring to summer tennis camps to tennis lessons and game. training. When you look at the levels of student doing the corporate equivalent of I can dream, can’t I? an off season conditioning participation in the programs, you can’t help but be program, staying in shape while fine impressed. Spence Kendrick tuning our programs. Looking back Highlights in our “Invest in a Child” program include: at 2006, the DTA has plenty for which to be proud. School Assemblies - The DTA provides all the DTA Community Calendar of Events equipment and teaching materials for elementary school I am honored to be taking over as students who are introduced to tennis in an all school December President of the DTA. I have some assembly and during P.E. over a two- week period. 1-4 Super Champ Major Zone Tournament very large shoes to fill (just kidding Over 20,000 students participated in this program last 1-3 USTA Fall Men’s League Playoffs Laura!), but I think with the help year. 10 USTA Senior Men’s League rosters due of an involved Board of Directors and continued 11 MCB Cotton Bowl Tournament entry feedback from DTA members, we can continue the After School Programs – The DTA takes volunteers deadline mission of growing competitive tennis and providing from local leagues and organizations to provide free 16 FedEx Shootout Series featuring James opportunities for the future of our sport – the children. tennis instruction. All equipment is provided by the DTA. Blake, Mardy Fish and the Bryan Through an affiliation with the Dallas Parks and Brothers - Frisco, TX Under the leadership of past president Laura Worsham, Recreation Department, the program is serving over 25-26 Office Closed - Holiday the DTA has grown its scope and vision to offer every 1,100 students at 28 locations. The DTA also has two 27-31 MCB Cotton Bowl Tennis Classic tennis player a chance to participate in this great sport after school programs at South Dallas recreation centers Tournament we love. The DTA offers opportunities ranging from that provide tennis, tutoring and computer instruction being a volunteer at DTA after school programs or for almost 150 at- risk children. January tournaments to playing in USTA tournaments and 1 Office Closed - Holiday leagues. National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) and Slam 6 USTA Senior Men’s League begins Jammers – The DTA has been involved with the City of 13-14 Texas Section Community Development Over the course of the next year, I want to highlight Dallas for over 25 years to bring the NJTL to local rec Workshop - Austin, TX areas of the DTA with which some people may not be centers. This summer over 1,000 children participated 21 DTA Winter ZAT Tournament entry familiar. Under the guidance of Executive Director Tina in the program. deadline Anderson, the DTA touches more lives and has more 28 DTA Junior Awards Banquet of a positive impact with less than any non-profit I know. Five years ago the DTA expanded NJTL to include year round tennis through its Slam Jammers program. February THAT is why I feel being a volunteer in the DTA is SO As a low cost junior development program, Slam important. I can only imagine what we could accomplish 3-4 DTA Winter ZAT Tournament Jammers prepares young players for tournament 5-10 USTA Men’s Challenger Tournament - if we could get every DTA member to contribute his or competition locally and at the USTA level. For those in her time working a tournament, donating items to one T Bar M Racquet Club the program, the DTA provides instructors, equipment, 4 USTA Senior Mixed Doubles rosters due of our fund raisers or sponsoring a child in our “Invest tournament entry fees and travel grants are also available. in a Child” program. 9-11 Texas Section Annual Meeting - The The three levels of the Slam Jammers program provide Woodlands, TX Next year will be an important one for our “Invest in a over 400 players the skills necessary to compete in 16-18 USTA Senior Womens League playoffs tournaments and hopefully play at the highest levels of Child” program.