Hi,
Welcome to the first edition of the MTEF e-newsletter, Beyond The Net, which will be published five times annually, in addition to our semi-annual newsletter, The Match. As a community-based organization we understand the importance of visibility and communication, and this newsletter gives us another tool to disseminate important information to the MTEF community. In just four short years MTEF has grown into a $400,000/year non-profit organization and as we continue to grow, and sustain growth, MTEF will rely more heavily, not only on the tennis community, but on the overall community for support in a variety of ways.
I hope you enjoy reading Beyond the Net, and that it inspires you to help in any way you feel possible. While financial support is essential, and very much appreciated, it is just one of the many ways to support MTEF. During the course of a year we rely on over 250 volunteers to assist in the execution of events, programs and activities. As you read these newsletter articles and link to our website you’ll see there are numerous ways for you to help. Our volunteer and employment pages list specific jobs and tasks where we are in need of people and in-kind donations, and the MTEF Tennis Ball Committee is always looking for people to assist in securing sponsorships and auction items.
More than anything, you’ll see that MTEF is more than just a tennis organization. We strive to continue the work and legacy of Arthur Ashe by demonstrating that tennis can be a powerful and cost-effective tool to change children’s lives and by providing a pathway of tennis programs to the adult and senior residents of the Milwaukee area. None of this would have been possible without our dedicated board of directors and wonderful partners and sponsors. I hope you’ll consider joining them as we set out to do what we can to make Milwaukee a better place to live, work, play and learn through tennis.
Sincerely, |
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| Jay Massart |
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To view the MTEF Board of Director’s Page click here.
To view our Partners page click here.
Adult/Senior Tennis Programs
The Milwaukee Tennis & Education Foundation, Milwaukee Public Schools – Division of Recreation and Community Services, and the USTA Wisconsin District have teamed up to offer top-notch adult/senior tennis lessons and Metro Milwaukee League play. This three-tiered collaboration will provide tennis lessons and USTA League play for adults and seniors from the Beginner (2.0) level through the Tournament Player (4.0) level at eight area parks beginning May 1, 2007. Our goal is to utilize city and county parks and schools to offer opportunities to people who may otherwise not have the opportunity to participate.
The Metro tennis lesson and league program will be offered on a seasonal basis beginning in May during National Tennis Month, will include a summer adult tournament, and conclude in mid-October with the fall session. These lessons and leagues, which are open to Milwaukee residents and non-residents, are designed for those 
individuals who want to pick up tennis or further develop their tennis skills. The USTA Metro League provides individuals with a highly structured program and the chance to advance to state and sectional competition. The Metro League, which is the first of its kind, will include a special USTA membership offer, sponsored by the USTA Wisconsin District.
To read more and register click here.
If you are interested in giving tennis lessons to adults click here.
High School Coaches Clinic
As Milwaukee official community tennis association, MTEF is sponsoring a FREE High School Coach’s Workshop on Saturday, March 3, from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Mequon Elite Racquet & Fitness Club, 11616 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon. The three-hour workshop will be conducted by USPTA Master Professional and certified USTA National Clinician, Rick Vetter, and it will include active on-court sessions on running team practices, the Games Approach to Coaching, and tips on teaching large groups of students.
All attendees should come prepared to play. Wear athletic clothes and tennis shoes, and remember to bring your racquet. This workshop is a great tune-up for individuals coaching in the boy’s high school season. Workshop availability is limited, so sign-up today! Coaches at city of Milwaukee high schools will be given priority but we encourage anyone interested to apply.
To read more and register for the workshop click here.
Summer TEAM Program
This summer, in partnership with the MPS Division of Recreation and Community Services, MTEF is offering a free citywide tennis and reading program for youth, ages 7-15, at five area sites. The Summer TEAM Program, offered for eight one-week sessions weekdays 9:00 – 4:00 p.m., will include a Metro USTA Junior Team Tennis League and a summer-ending Metro Tennis Tournament, sponsored by Milwaukee Mayor, Tom Barrett.
Our summer TEAM initiative will require MTEF to hire motivated, responsible tennis instructors to provide on-court instruction and match play for youth according to the TEAM curriculum. This is a great opportunity for high school and college students interested in teaching summer junior tennis lessons.
To read about the Summer TEAM Program click here.
To fill out the online employee application click here.
This Month at MTEF
2007 Arthur Ashe Essay Contest
To help commemorate the legacy of humanitarian and tennis great Arthur Ashe, the USTA National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) is sponsoring an annual essay contest – open only to NJTL participants around the country – asking entrants to answer in 300 words or less, “Why is Arthur Ashe a legend?”
The contest, which begins in February during Black History Month and concludes on Ashe’s birthday, July 10, is a mandatory component of the TEAM program during the winter and spring sessions. Last year, MTEF submitted 135 essays to the USTA/Midwest Section and had three winning essays submitted to the National Contest. Ten national winners, along with a parent or guardian, will win a trip to New York City August 24-26 and will be guests at the 2007 Arthur Ashe Kids Day Presented by Hess.
For more information on the 2007 MTEF Arthur Ashe Essay Contest click here.
TEAM
MTEF’s NJTL TEAM Outreach program is a neighborhood-based, free program that combines education and life skill development with the sport of tennis. TEAM serves approximately 3,000 at-risk children annually in grades
2-8 at 20 citywide locations.
In December, MTEF was selected as the 18th First Serve Chapter in the United States, and the second in the USTA Midwest Section. In addition to benefiting from the award-winning First Serve Life Skill Curriculum, MTEF will receive free staff training, on-going support and additional fundraising opportunities. This exciting affiliation will strengthen our overall TEAM program with new materials and better instructors, which will ultimately benefit the kids.
For additional information on TEAM click here.
To view the locations and times of our current winter TEAM program click here.
Community Tennis
As popular as tennis is, there are literally millions of people who have yet to be introduced to the game and many others who will play more often, if given the opportunity. As Milwaukee's official Community Tennis Association (CTA), and National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) Chapter, MTEF assists in the delivery, support, and integration of tennis programs in this community.
Highlights of the community tennis division are the adult/senior tennis programs, various recreational coach workshops, suburban Junior Team Tennis League, National Tennis Day and the NJTL Rally, featuring tennis legend Stan Smith.
Please click here for additional information on community tennis.
Get Involved
As a volunteer-based organization, the Milwaukee Tennis & Education Foundation has a history of community involvement. Working together, volunteers and staff promote and develop the game of tennis in the Milwaukee area.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact Jay Massart at (414) 403-6823, or fill out our online volunteer form by clicking here.
Questions or commetns about any of the aforementioned information? Please feel free to contact us at:
Milwaukee Tennis & Education Foundation
3000 N. Sherman Boulevard
Milwaukee, WI 53210
Phone: (414) 403-6823
Fax: (262) 250-1393
Or if you would like to send us an email click here jmassart@execpc.com
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