USTA Colorado accepting bids for SERVES
Bids from organizations interested in SERVES being accepted through November 1.
Bids are now being accepted from organizations interested in being considered for inclusion in USTA Colorado SERVES. Only a few established community programs will be selected to be part of the USTA Colorado SERVES satellite network. Interested organization must submit a bid by the November 1 deadline. Selected organizations will be notified soon thereafter.
What is USTA Colorado SERVES?
OVERVIEW
By creating a network of local public tennis programs, SERVES provides youth from under-resourced communities across Colorado easy access to quality tennis programming that incorporates a focus on learning and developing life skills and leadership. SERVES stands for:
Success
Education
Respect
Values
Excellence
Self-Confidence
SERVES is made possible through a partnership between USTA Colorado and the Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation.
VISION FOR GROWING YOUT TENNIS
We envision kids across Colorado having easy access to quality tennis programming that incorporates a focus on learning and developing life skills and leadership. We see these young people engaging in complementary tennis activities in their communities – developing a love and passion for the sport that will last a lifetime. We imagine these kids graduating from school and becoming healthy, productive and responsible citizens.
WHAT WE BELIEVE AND WHY
A tennis court serves as a backdrop for unlimited possibility, and when a child achieves success here, he or she becomes more confident and self-assured in other aspects of life. Youth need access to positive, safe and healthy activities. Playing tennis reduces the risk of obesity and promotes good physical, emotional and mental health and well-being. Playing tennis teaches kids to develop life skills. On the court, kids learn responsibility, how to think strategically and cultivate leadership and social skills. Youth who play tennis exhibit stronger academic performance and increased self-confidence. It’s important to make tennis accessible to kids regardless of economic, social or ethnic background.
It’s not just about tennis. It’s about helping kids discover their potential as people.
BUILDING BLOCKS OF SERVES MODEL
Comprehensive: Multi-faceted and focused on tennis and life skills
Strategic: Target known areas of potential to develop satellite programs that encourage physical, social and emotional well-being
Collaborative: Coordinate with partners and work hand-in-hand to develop quality programs for the greatest impact on youth
Uniformity: Satellite program adhere to set program responsibilities
Tracking/Promotion: Designed to promote engagement in tennis
Sustainability: Long-term commitments to SERVES
BENEFITS TO UNDER-SERVED YOUTH
- Further tennis and life skills development
- Learn about and practice leadership skills
- Under care of Safe Play certified coaches
- Learn from USTA trained coaches
- Access to funding support to pursue tennis
- Tennis Leadership Camp participation
BENEFITS TO PROGRAMS
- Program and funding support
- Leadership and coach training and support
- USTA Net Generation Benefits
SATELLITE PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES
- All coaches Safe Play certified (background check)
- Offer a low-cost program open to the public
- Program Leader Summit attendance
- Train the Trainer participation
- Incorporate leadership and life skills components
- Promote Player Development Pathway
- Register on Net Generation/become NJTL Chapter
- Blended lines on courts for 10 programming and supportive of youth progression (ROGY)
- Complete athletic competency testing
- Provide contact information for participants
