Tennis 4 Futures

team. The USTA Northern New Mexico Tennis Association (NNMTA) Fall Mid-School Tennis League started in 1996 and attracts upwards of 700 students playing on nearly 40 teams each year. Tennis4Futures shares the NNMTA vision to further the development of tennis in the local area by bringing tennis opportunities to mid-school students beyond the introduction provided during the fall mid-school tennis season. Tennis4Futures bridges the gap for middle school students who are interested in playing tennis beyond their fall tennis season. Tennis4Futures encourages students to participate in the NNMTA Lucky 7 Rookie Tournament Circuit and pays entry fees as necessary. Tennis skills are taught by co-founders Melissa Morris and Melissa Clark, various University of New Mexico Lobo Tennis Club teaching pros, and other volunteers from the community. Tennis 4 Futures provides a fun, safe environment for the students to develop tennis skills and be part of a team. The program emphasizes the importance of doing well in school, working hard, being healthy, and good sportsmanship. Tennis4Futures sets the groundwork for continued involvement in tennis, from mid-school to high school, and ultimately as a lifetime sport. The sport of tennis teaches important life lessons and can positively influence a student’s life. Tennis4Futures is committed to bringing tennis to those who would not traditionally have access to the game. We look forward to working with the USTA NNMTA Southwest Section to develop and grow Tennis4Futures with the goal of reaching larger numbers of mid-school students in the local area. The majority of Tennis4Futures students are from Grant Middle School and the program provides tennis activities, including free clinics, for up to 12 students. For first full year of the program, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Southwest Section and the Southwest Tennis Foundation awarded grants to Tennis4Futures. These grants partially funded the program, with additional funding from private donations and volunteer hours. For more information on Tennis4Futures please message Melissa Clark or Melissa Morris or email us at [email protected].