The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is excited to announce that the VISTA application process for Year 3 of the national service initiative Tennis for America is open.
“As we enter our third year of Tennis for America, we’ve witnessed firsthand how participating in this national service program has enriched the lives of not only our VISTAs, but those who benefit from the VISTAs time spent in the community,” said ITA Chief Operating Officer David Mullins. “When we as an organization mention returning the leaders of tomorrow, we believe that Tennis for America is setting our VISTAs on a path not only of service, but one that fosters personal and professional growth to enhance those leadership qualities and abilities.”
Tennis For America is a partnership between the ITA, AmeriCorps VISTA and nationally-recognized USTA Foundation National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) organizations. Together, and through tennis, the groups are working to combat poverty in the United States.
The ITA is the first national sport governing body to endorse national service through the creation of a program of service, and in the process mentor vulnerable youth, help them gain access to the sport and help strengthen the popularity of tennis.
Tennis For America is a life-changing experience for not only the children being served, but also the VISTAs. Tennis For America VISTAs gain real-world experience in marketing, grant writing, fundraising, program development, and networking. VISTAs will leave their year of service more equipped and prepared for life after graduation than when they started.
The Tennis For America VISTAs are placed in host locations across the country, designed to utilize their elite tennis backgrounds and academic credentials. The VISTAs’ presence adds tangible value to the organizations who are making outstanding impacts in their communities.
Tennis For America has expanded to nine host sites for 2022, up from eight in 2021 and four in 2020, the program’s inaugural year.
The host sites are:
- Junior Tennis Champions Center | College Park, Maryland
- NYJTL | South Bronx, New York
- BYTE | Oakland, California
- TeamFAME | Newport, Rhode Island
- Advantage Cleveland | Cleveland, Ohio
- Inspiring Children Foundation | Las Vegas, Nevada
- Youth Tennis San Diego | San Diego, California
- Portland Tennis & Education | Portland, Oregon
- New Hytes | New Haven, Connecticut
The ITA encourages student-athletes that were members of college tennis programs, along with Tennis on Campus team members and Professional Tennis Management program graduates to apply for the Tennis For America program. Applicants must be 21 years of age by June 1, 2022 and be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Tennis For America applications will remain open until April 1, 2022, or until all 12 positions have been filled. VISTAs year of service will begin in either June, July or August 2022, and run for 12 months.
For questions regarding Tennis for America, contact ITA COO David Mullins at [email protected].
