On the first Friday of each month this year, this site is publishing a deep dive on one of the 12 “Gifts” you can treat yourself with to improve your tennis life. The focus this month enumerates the reasons why tennis players and fans should engage with the organizations that promote our great sport. Advocacy is essential for the future health of the tennis ecosystem. We are stronger together than we are individually.
You should be a member of your National Federation whether you actively play or not. In the United States, the National Federation is the USTA. The International governing body of tennis is the ITF and active players should strongly consider registering an IPIN. These are the organizations that facilitate tennis at the national and global levels.
Members of the USTA should also consider becoming involved with their Sectional Association. At the local level, USTA Community Tennis Associations are also a great place to find opportunities for direct engagement. Tennis in your local community needs you. While I am not familiar with the analogous opportunities outside the United States, I am confident that opportunities to get involved are similarly available.
On the sidelines of the tournament I played last weekend, I spent a few hours each day at an information table for the National Women’s Tennis Organization. The NWTO members are united to promote tennis opportunities for women who are 30 and over. The National Senior Men’s Tennis Association performs the same type of advocacy for men. Tennis is a sport for life. These organizations work tirelessly to make that a reality.
The Tennis Industry Association and USPTA might also be an appropriate option for you. Additionally, the company that implements the UTR rating system, Universal Tennis, is also worthy of consideration. I am sure that I am overlooking other opportunities for engagement and would love it if people would point me at organizations that I may have overlooked.
The place of tennis in society cannot be taken for granted. Support necessarily starts with individuals at the grassroot level. Joining the organizations that align with your tennis advocacy interests is a vital first step for preserving and building a bright future for our sport.
Don’t just sit there. Sign up for something. You’ll be glad you did.
