USTA Hosts Tennis Camp for Wounded, Ill and Injured Servicemembers

July 18, 2013 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff

The 2nd Annual National Tennis Camp for Wounded, Ill, and Injured Servicemembers and Veterans was held in San Diego last month. This event is an outgrowth of an adaptive tennis program started in 2009 in partnership with Naval Medical Center San Diego that has served over 500 military personnel in free, twice-monthly tennis clinics. The program has received national level recognition from the USTA and Department of Defense.

The first national camp was held in May of 2012, and by all accounts, it was a tremendous success. There were 50 participants from 17 states with a wide range of disabilities. The feedback received from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. This year again there were more than 50 participants registered, as well as a waiting list. Through grants and other fundraising efforts, USTA was able to cover their airfare, lodging, meals and local transportation costs.

One goal is for the camp participants to continue to play tennis when they return to their hometowns after the camp. After the camp, each participant is given the name of the local Section person who they can call to help facilitate an introduction to a CTA or other tennis facility near them.

USTA Eastern’s Military Liaison is Bill Mecca and he can be reached by e-mail at mecca@eastern.usta.com. If you have an adaptive program, or a facility that is wheelchair accessible or you are a service member or veteran and would like to participate in this type of program, please contact Bill.


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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