Local Youth Tennis Group Receives Grant

 
The Susquehanna County Tennis Association (SCTA) received a grant from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Middle States. The grant, in the amount of $2000.00, is for the purpose of growing youth tennis in our area. It will allow the SCTA to reduce many of its costs for equipment, insurance and court time. In addition, it will provide opportunities for players to participate in sanctioned, USTA tennis tournaments in our area.

The SCTA is in its second year and is based in Montrose. It provides opportunity for year round play at an indoor court created at Brown’s Gym, owned by the Montrose Bible Conference. “The use of this facility has been a Godsend for our group,” said Jim Hinds, Montrose High School Boys & Girls Varsity Tennis Coach and head of the SCTA.

“Most of the teams we compete against play the game year round.” “The travel time and much of the expense of the private tennis clubs has been reduced making the game more affordable for our players,” Hinds says.

Representative Joe Romano attended a practice this week and said, "This is truly a great program you have started here. It's obvious that the kids really appreciate it."

Currently, the SCTA is offering group lessons two nights a week at the Montrose Bible Conference. In addition, top players have been playing in USTA tournaments. More players are set to begin competing in tournaments in the spring. When Summer rolls around, the SCTA will have its own teams set to compete in the USTA’s Junior Team Tennis program. At summer’s end, players will be traveling to the US Open again this year.

in the photo: back Left, Coach Jim Hinds, Tom Davenport, Chris Jordan, David Harris, Michael ROman, Kristy Stankewicz, Ben Hinds, Zack Warriner, Ryan Ochse, Sean Regan, Joe Romano

Front left: COurtney Hinds, Johanna Hriptik, Megan Hinds, EMily Wesoloski, Kristy Birchard, Kayla