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Bringing tennis to military veterans

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The USTA today announced that it has donated two tennis courts to the Charlie Norwood Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Augusta, Ga. for its tennis therapy training programs. The donation of the courts is part of the USTA’s ongoing military outreach efforts to support U.S. military service members and their families, who continue to sacrifice in order to serve our country. Representatives from the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (CNVAMC), Freedom Alliance and the USTA will dedicate the courts at a ribbon cutting ceremony November 9th.

The two courts, designed and installed by Sport Court®, were built last year. They will now be used to help veterans and wounded warriors in their physical therapy and recovery from injuries. As the only VA facility in partnership with an active duty Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB), Charlie Norwood’s new tennis therapy program will also serve as a rehabilitation space for wounded warriors from the nearby Warrior Transition Unit in Ft. Gordon.

“The USTA is honored to provide a resource that will better enable our military veterans and wounded warriors an opportunity to excel in their therapy and recovery,” said Jon Vegosen, USTA Chairman of the Board and President. “We are proud to partner with Freedom Alliance and showcase how tennis is truly the sport of opportunity.”

“We greatly appreciate the commitment shown by the USTA and Connor Sport Courts in promoting the healing journey and recovery of our wounded troops through this very generous donation of tennis courts,” said Tom Kilgannon, Freedom Alliance President.

“The CNVAMC is appreciative of the support and generous donation of the tennis courts,” said Robin Brown, Acting Public Affairs Officer, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center. “Active Duty Rehabilitation remains the only inpatient program dedicated to the treatment of active duty service members. The therapy provided here is done in an environment conducive to the rehabilitation of young service members with state-of-the-art equipment and prosthetics.”

Through the USTA’s partnership with Freedom Alliance, an educational and charitable organization that sponsors numerous program activities aimed at supporting and honoring our service members and their families, the USTA will be offering training and volunteers for the facility.

Posted on November 2, 2011
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