40 Student Athletes Earn Spots in 25th Annual Leadership Camp
July 16, 2009
*WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., JULY 16, 2009 – *The USTA announced today that 40 student athletes with diverse backgrounds from throughout the country have been selected to attend the 25th annual USTA/NJTL Tennis Leadership Camp in Denver from July 21-27. The camp, celebrating its 25th anniversary, is exclusively for youth ages 12-14 who participate in National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) programs nationwide.
The participants were selected through a rigorous application process that considered tennis aptitude, sportsmanship, leadership skills and financial need. The all-expense paid week-long camp provides the attendees with valuable tennis instruction plus a rewarding educational and motivational experience. In addition to 2-3 hours of daily tennis training with experienced tennis teachers, participants will volunteer to sort and pack donated products such as clothing, school and medical supplies for shipment to World Vision programs, which reach more than 100 million people in nearly 100 countries.
Additionally, campers will hear from a number of speakers, including USTA Director of Coaching Jose Higueras, a former top-10 player who has coached tennis’ biggest names including Roger Federer and Pete Sampras; Dan Gonzalez, a tennis pro and the son of former tennis great Pancho Gonzalez; and Frank Adams, USTA Intermountain Section President. The young students will also visit popular Denver destinations including the Red Rock Amphitheatre, the U.S. Air Force Academy and Invesco Field.
“For the past 25 years of our Tennis Leadership Camp, the NJTL national staff has created once-in-a-lifetime experiences for a deserving group of underserved youth,” said Barry Ford, Director, Outreach & Advocacy, USTA. “These students, some of whom are getting on an airplane for the very first time, are being afforded the opportunity to see a part of the country that they might otherwise never get to see, and to gain memories and forge relationships with their fellow campers that could last a lifetime. Using tennis as the conduit, we hope this camp will continue to have a profound impact on the growth and development of these and many more students for years to come.”
“This community-driven program intends to fulfill Arthur Ashe’s dream of instilling the values of humanitarianism, leadership and academic excellence in America’s youth through the sport of tennis,” said Kurt Kamperman, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. “The camp’s emphasis on individual physical and mental development, good nutrition and sportsmanship will help ensure that today’s kids will become tomorrow’s leaders and, perhaps even tomorrow’s champions as well.”
The following is a list of the young leaders selected to attend the 2009 USTA NJTL Tennis Leadership Camp: