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Breaking the Barriers 2.0
As a result of the phenomenal success achieved with the 2011
Breaking the Barriers exhibition, this year USTA Colorado will
be launching Breaking the Barriers 2.0 at the
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, kicking off a
year-long recognition of diverse tennis pioneers and contributors. New
this year will be an outreach effort to include Asian and Latino
communities during their heritage month celebrations in May and
September respectively.
School outreach
will take place again to provide a cross-curricular educational
experience.
Educational materials will be available to anyone interested.
Additionally, special school assemblies will be conducted for 3rd -
6th grade classes at select schools at no cost. If you are at a school
with a high number of Latino or Asian students and would be interested
in being considered for this special outreach, please
contact us for consideration.
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 Play Days/Tennis Festivals
Several tennis program providers in Northern Colorado and the southeast Denver-metro area will be participating in a Play Day/Tennis Festival Series
in conjunction with USTA Colorado. Both events provide a fun tennis experience with lots of play in 2-3 hours. There's something for new players as well
as those with more experience. If applicable, share information on this opportunity with your students!
Click here to download a flyer now.
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 Turbo Tennis Tip:
"Assessment Drives Instruction"
In school it is always a great idea to gather anecdotal notes and keep a checklist on what students can do as well as identifying where they need
more work. Tennis in PE is no different! You can provide them a guideline on what your goals are for them during your tennis unit and then let your
students explore the equipment while you observe some organized (and obviously safe) chaos. We understand that creating those guidelines can be
overwhelming and time consuming, but this is where our
USTA Tennis Skill Checklist can come in handy! Let's focus on the positive! Tailor the
checklist for what works for you and emphasize success. You may be surprised on how they rise to the challenge once they know exactly what you expect.
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 What's Not to
'Love'?
Testimonials
from the Field
Randy Niebuhr
PE Teacher
Manitou Springs Elementary School
We had a great two weeks of tennis before our spring break. I wish we could have invited you down
<for a free school site visit>, but we have had a crazy schedule.
The kids loved the indoor tennis. With the 6 station signs I set up during class and the information I received from all of you last
summer at the Denver Public Schools Summer Institute, it really worked out much better than I had anticipated. I plan to share the
information with our middle and high school. Thank you again for all of the resources and support from USTA, and I look forward to keeping
in touch with your organization for years to come.
Do you have a testimony about how USTA School Tennis has impacted you or your school? Send it to
us and if we share it in a future newsletter you will get a special gift! |
Clinician Spotlight:
Nicole Hola
Highlighting members of our team who are in the field
assisting teachers, after school program providers and volunteers
with implementing school tennis
opportunities.
Tennis is a family affair for Nicole, who started playing tennis at the age of 6. She progressed in her junior tennis career to play regional, sectional and
national tennis tournaments. As both a singles and doubles player, she was consistently ranked in the top 5 in Southern California, as well as nationally.
Nicole played Division I tennis at the University of Iowa.
Nicole then took a break from tennis and pursued other athletic interests like triathlons and running. However, tennis soon came back into her life when she began
volunteering for the Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation. She became a board member of the Foundation and also served as a board member of USTA Colorado, representing
the Youth Foundation. During this time, Nicole became certified with the
US Professional Tennis Association and began teaching with South Suburban Parks
and Recreation, where she is still involved today.
Currently, Nicole enjoys conducting preschool tennis classes and is excited to be
taking on a new role as the USTA Colorado Play Day Coordinator. She has been a part of
the USTA School Tennis program as a clinician since 2005. Living in Highlands Ranch, Nicole is married and the busy mother of 7 year old twin boys.
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 Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
Don't miss these upcoming tennis and
training events and deadlines for you and your students:
January 31, 5:30-9:00 pm:
School/After School Tennis Workshop for teachers, parents, grandparents,
and anyone interested in learning how to introduce tennis to youth.
Colorado Athletic Club Inverness in Englewood. Pre-register with
Kristy Harris.
February 15-22:
Breaking the Barriers Portrait Series on public display at the
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library.
February 19, 7:00 pm:
Champions Showdown with tennis legends
Andy Roddick,
James Blake,
Jim Courier and
Mark Philippoussis at the Pepsi Center. Tickets, with USTA member discounts
available, at
www.PowerSharesSeries.com,
www. TicketHorse.com, the Pepsi Center box office, Colorado's Dick's Sporting Goods Store Kiosk or by calling 866-461-6556.
February 20, 1-2pm and February 25, 7-8pm:
USTA CO/Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation
Grant Funding Webinar to learn about possible funding sources for tennis programs and infrastructure and how to maximize your chances
of getting funded.
Contact us if you're interested in
receiving more information on this free on-line workshop.
March:
USTA Tennis Play events are being hosted throughout the country in
celebration of
World Tennis Day
(March 3) in an effort to get kids excited and
active in tennis. During the month of March, the USTA invites
families and kids of all ages and skill levels to try tennis at local
events and facilities. Events can be found at
www.youthtennis.com.
TBD:
Your district's free School Tennis Workshop -
Contact us today to schedule it!
Remember
Even though you receive valuable resources as a
USTA school organization member, including curriculum, station signs and equipment discounts, the hands-on training at the School
Tennis Workshops is an invaluable part of the package - and costs nothing.
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