2009 Tennis in the Parks Registration Has Begun Register NOW to participate in this FREE initiative! The new and improved 2009 TIP online registration process has begun for renewal agencies and new agencies. ALL TIP agencies/organizations must re-register each year to continue participation in this FREE initiative and to continue to receive available resources. Tennis in the Parks (TIP) is a partnership between NRPA and the United States Tennis Association that provides resources and support to communities who are committed to growing and improving tennis programs, infrastructure and advocacy efforts in their local communities. Benefits include marketing support for your programs, expert technical assistance from USTA, complimentary tennis training equipment for new agencies, discounts on tennis equipment, training support for coaches, facility construction and maintenance support, access to public facility assistance and funding, information on USTA events and trainings in your area and MORE! Park and Recreation Agencies are eligible to register now. If your agency works in partnership with a Community Tennis Association (CTA) to offer tennis programming, please forward this invitation to the CTA as they are also eligible to participate. All agencies/organizations must re-register each year in order to continue participation in this successful program. To get started, visit www.nrpa.org/usta now!

New 2009 USTA Recreational Tennis Grant Funding Available to Parks and Recreation The new 2009 USTA Recreational Tennis Grant is now available. Park and Recreation agencies are eligible to apply for this new funding from the USTA. This is significant because this is the first time the USTA has a national grant opportunity for programming/partnerships for park and recreation agencies. Priority will be given to park and recreation agencies that are registered as Tennis in the Parks agencies. There are two (2) categories of grant assistance available. More detailed information may be found on the online grant application (link below). Program/Project Support (Grant range: $2,500 - $10,000): Applicants may submit an application seeking funding to support their general tennis programming, project and equipment needs. Applicants should meet the following objectives: increase tennis participation, support tennis programming, and foster diversity with both tennis participation and programming. Community Partnership Investment (Grant range: $10,000 - $50,000): Applicants may submit an application seeking funding to establish and/or develop community based partnerships to meet the following objectives: increase tennis participation, support tennis programming, and foster diversity with both tennis participation and programming. The USTA will award grants to selected organizations that present a clear vision for establishing community based partnerships to meet these objectives. These proposals should involve all parts of the tennis community and leverage the USTA’s financial investment at the local level. Matching funding is required from the applicant. It is expected that communities that receive this grant will become self-sufficient and not need USTA grants to operate in the future. Online Application Link: 2009 Recreational Tennis Grant Application  Note: If you receive an error message that states, ‘The Page Cannot be Displayed’ or ‘Cannot Access an IGAM Grant Application Because Cookies are not Supported’ when you click the link above, copy and paste the following into your browser's address line: https://www.GrantRequest.com/SID_527?SA=SNA&FID=35058 This is an exciting new opportunity for park and recreation agencies to grow tennis, increase participation and use tennis as a vehicle to build stronger, healthier communities. If you have specific questions regarding the USTA Recreational Tennis Grant please contact grants@usta.com  Dream Big!

Tennis Night in America: March 2, 2009           Youth Registration Night – A Tennis Night in America Event On March 2, 2009, tennis organizations and facilities of all kinds can participate in a historic night – Tennis Night in America (www.tennisnight.com)  On this spring night, a tennis celebration willl take place with the first ever BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup and Youth Registration Night, a grassroots initiative.   The BNP Paribas Showdown will feature four of the top female tennis players in the world competing at Madison Square Garden in New York and will be broadcast live on HBO.  In addition, the USTA is launching the largest youth tennis recruitment ever – Youth Registration Night – with hundreds of local events facilitating early registrations for spring and summer programs.   To this end, the USTA is partnering with Community Tennis Associations, Parks, Clubs and other organizations who will help organize or host a Youth Registration Night event.  As part of this promotion, the USTA is making available turnkey marketing materials, nationwide marketing support and access to coach training opportunities.   Get more information at www.tennisnight.com