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Mayor Fenty Announces New District Partnership with USTA

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty was joined by Ximena Hartsock, Acting Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), Lucy S. Garvin, President and Chairman of the Board of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), and Jeff Newman, Legg Mason Tennis Classic Tournament Director during DC Tennis Week to announce a new partnership between DPR and USTA. Through the new partnership, USTA will continue to expand their support for tennis programs across the District of Columbia.

“I'm very proud to announce, during our DC Tennis Week, the expansion of the United States Tennis Association's partnership with the District’s Department of Parks and Recreation," said Mayor Fenty. "Providing our residents, and especially our youth, with healthy recreational opportunities is a priority for my administration." Through this new partnership, USTA will be assisting DPR to launch a comprehensive tennis program in 11 locations across the District:

Banneker (Ward 1)
Volta Park (Ward 2)
Palisades (Ward 3)
Lafayette (Ward 4)
Takoma (Ward 4)
Thurgood Marshall (Ward 5)
Turkey Thicket (Ward 5)
King Greenleaf (Ward 6)
Hillcrest (Ward 7)
Fort Stanton (Ward 8)
SETLC (Ward 8)

Children will have access to after-school programs with Quick start tennis, junior team tennis, daily structured tennis classes, as well as academic and homework assistance in reading and math. The partnership will also allow for District youth to have free access to the USTA Champion Tennis Center in College Park, MD

USTA is donating specialized equipment including portable QuickStart nets, racquets, and balls to the District. Additionally, USTA is providing training for staff, coaching, and overall guidance in the planning and implementation of this program. Coaches from USTA Mid-Atlantic section hosted a youth tennis clinic as part of today's announcement.

"We are thrilled by, and greatly appreciate, the energy and commitment Mayor Fenty and his staff are bringing to tennis in Washington, DC," said Lucy S. Garvin. "The District and the USTA share a common goal: expose this great sport to as many young players as possible, even those who never imagined that one day tennis might become their sport of choice."

In July, Mayor Fenty was joined by USTA for the launch of the DPR Youth Tennis Pilot Program which was introduced citywide through DPR's Camp Discovery summer camp program. The pilot program has introduced nearly 4,000 children and youth ages six to 13 to tennis this summer, and has allowed those children a chance to play tennis on a daily basis. The DPR Youth Tennis Pilot Program incorporates USTA's QuickStart Tennis format, a new format which was developed to help children and youth 10 years old and under to learn and play the game of tennis.

"The partnership with USTA will greatly assist DPR in our goal to continue to expand and enhance the tennis programs available to our residents," said Ximena Hartsock, DPR Acting Director. "I'm very grateful for the continuing support of USTA for DPR's recreational and athletic programs.”

Last Friday, at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park, while kicking off the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, Mayor Fenty proclaimed this week DC Tennis Week, August 1-9. DPR currently offers a variety tennis programs for children, youth, and adults, year-round at sites across the District of Columbia.

To learn more about DPR tennis programs or other athletic programs, visit the "Athletic Programs" section of DPR’s website, dpr.dc.gov, or contact DPR Athletics at (202) 671-1700.

For more Congress Heights and River East news visit The Congress Heights Examiner website, http://www.examiner.com/x-13507-Congress-Heights-Community-Examiner



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