In the Mid-Atlantic tennis community, there is no shortage of individuals, organizations, and groups doing great things to grow tennis and change lives through the sport. From league captains who volunteer their time, to providers and coaches who commit to the advancement of their players and their communities through the sport.
For over 100 years, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation has been creating community, character and well-being. Each year, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation, a nonprofit organization, honors our members, players, providers, and organizers that support and grow tennis in the region and are excelling at many levels to go above and beyond for tennis and the well-being of others.
This year, USTA Mid-Atlantic will turn to the tennis community to nominate outstanding individuals and community providers for the annual Tennis Creates Awards which will continue to align with the guiding principles of Community, Character, and Well-being under the “USTA Mid-Atlantic Creates” theme.
The award program is rooted with USTA Mid-Atlantic’s mission to promote tennis for healthier lives and communities, making the sport accessible to all in the Mid-Atlantic.” Awards emphasize and celebrate programs and people that create community, build character, and encourage overall well-being.
Nominations are now OPEN and can be made through this form. You are encouraged to nominate any and all deserving individuals and providers that fulfill the criteria listed for the award categories. Plus, don’t forget to share and tell your tennis friends and organizations to make nominations also!
The deadline for submitting nominations is July 5 An internal committee will review nominations and select winners.
For questions and more information, please contact Wornden Ly at wly@mas.usta.com.
2025 USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Tennis Creates Award Categories
Provider Champion:
Recognizing a Mid-Atlantic tennis provider of any type including: organizations, facilities, parks and recreation, clubs, school, coach (certified and community-level), tournament director, and other who has stepped up in the community to serve fun, inclusive, and welcoming tennis programs in the Mid-Atlantic that increase access and awareness of the sport.
- Consistently creates innovative, impactful, and inclusive programming among able body or adaptive tennis players within the USTA Mid-Atlantic region.
- Demonstrated commitment to the growth of tennis in underserved communities.
- Used targeted outreach to diversify and engage individuals, communities, ethnicities who might not try tennis otherwise
- Broadened reach and impact through partnerships and collaboration with other individuals and organizations
- Goes above and beyond to make tennis welcoming (ie: fun, flexible, priced appropriately, accessible, geared toward varying ability and experience levels and ages, emphasizes sportsmanship).
- Facilitate two or more USTA programs
- Registered tennis programs through USTA’s Serve Tennis.
- USTA Safe Play approved and in good standing
Community Champion:
Recognizing a tennis player in the Mid-Atlantic region who has gone above and beyond to serve the community, grow tennis, and increase access to the sport in the region.
- All ages are eligible for this award category.
- Participant in USTA Mid-Atlantic tennis events/programming (including but not limited to: USTA Mid-Atlantic tournaments, wheelchair tennis programming, JTT programs, USTA League, team challenges, junior circuit events, Mid-Atlantic team events, etc.) or active in the USTA Mid-Atlantic Volunteer Program.
- Signed the Mid-Atlantic ACES Sportsmanship Pledge
Youth Leader:
Recognizing a youth tennis player in the Mid-Atlantic who exudes the ideals and values (community, character, well-being and DE&I) of the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation both on and off the court. This award is given to someone who has demonstrated leadership skills for his/her team, character development with sportsmanship recognition, while encouraging and teaching/modeling respect for others, inclusivity and ethics.
- Age 17 and under
- Participant in USTA Mid-Atlantic programs such as JTT, Tournaments (any level), Team Challenge/Junior Circuit programs and/or school tennis team (MS/HS); and/or a youth associated with a Mid-Atlantic organization (CTA/NJTL); and/or other Mid-Atlantic youth tennis programs (Girls Rule the Court, High School Ambassador program, Junior Scholarship recipient).
- Signed the Mid-Atlantic ACES Sportsmanship Pledge
Adult Leader:
Recognizing an adult tennis player in the Mid-Atlantic region who exudes the ideals and values (community, character, well-being and DE&I) of the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation both on and off the court. This individual is a proponent for tennis, supporting the growth of the sport, advocates for tennis and encourages others to get involved in the game. This award is given to someone who has volunteered and/or supported the philanthropic growth of USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation and/or demonstrated leadership skills for his/her team, community program, and/or tennis facility, and consistently showcases sportsmanship.
- Age 18 and older
- Participant in USTA Leagues, Tournaments, Adult Social programming, Tennis On Campus, College tennis or community organizers involved in Park & Recreation departments, NJTL and/or CTA organizations; or involved in Girls Rule the Court
- Can also include parents/guardians whose children are involved in a form of USTA Mid-Atlantic programming
- Can also include volunteers registered on the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Volunteer Hub
- Signed the Mid-Atlantic Sportsmanship ACES Pledge (if a parent and/or player in USTA Programs).
Tennis in the Classroom:
Recognizing administrators, teachers, and school tennis providers (i.e. high school and middle school team coaches, school administrators/athletic directors, school parent liaisons, and/or after school tennis program leaders) who go above and beyond to keep their students active with tennis. Nominations open for those working within grades K-12 in the Mid-Atlantic region. USTA SafePlay approved and in good standing.
- Physical Education Teachers
- High School Tennis Team Coach
- Middle School Tennis Team Coach
- After School Tennis Leader
- School or Association Administrator
Coach of the Year:
This award is given to a coach/provider in the Mid-Atlantic who ensures their programming can be played by all ages and ability levels and that all who play have the opportunity to benefit from the long-lasting physical and social-emotional aspects of the sport.
- Be a registered teaching professional and/or certified coach, or a community-level/school-based coach
- Safe Play approved and in good standing
- Create innovative, impactful, and inclusive programming
- Demonstrates commitment to introducing the sport to new audiences; developing players of all ability levels; and retaining players throughout the tennis pathway that is most beneficial to the individual(s).
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USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the Section and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being. Make an impact beyond the net and donate today.
To find more information on past USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation award winners, click here.