Giving children ages 6 to 18 the opportunity to play in a league is the goal of USA Team Tennis. In league competition, children can enjoy the team aspects of the sport while developing their individual skills.
USA Team Tennis is one of the levels within the USA Tennis Pathway, designed to give new players in the sport a logical progression taking them from beginner lessons to organized play. It includes programs to help players enjoy the great game of tennis and keep them playing no matter what their age or skill level.
Little Tennis is an approved USA Tennis program officially linked to USA Team Tennis. Because Little Tennis is the perfect program for children to learn basic tennis strokes and play rallying games, it is a logical step for children to join the next level of pathway programs – USA Team Tennis. The link makes it possible for teaching professionals who introduce new players to the game through Little Tennis to receive the incentives given through the USA Tennis Plan for Growth.
Team Tennis’ three divisions – Red, White and Blue – group children by age and by skill level using the Junior National Tennis Rating Program.
- The Red division is for ages 6 to 12 and a JNTRP of 1.0 to 2.5. Here, the basic rallying skills learned in Little Tennis are used to compete using the Ralleyball format.
- The White division is for children with more developed skills. It is designed for ages 10 to 14 and a JNTRP of 2.5 to 4.5. The environment here is more competitive but maintains the social aspects of team tennis.
- The Blue division includes those ages 13 to 18 and with a JNTRP of 1.0 to 5.0. Here, older children get the opportunity to learn tennis skills whether they are just starting out or already have developed the necessary skills to compete at a higher level.
The hope is for USA Team Tennis teams to arrange matches with teams from other nearby facilities. Leagues for USA Team Tennis may be hosted by facilities that have a minimum of four teams with at least six players on each team. Players may be from any and all divisions.
USA Team Tennis and the USA Tennis Pathway were developed as part of the USA Tennis Plan for Growth to increase interest and participation in tennis. For more information, please contact the USTA at (914) 696-7000 or www.usta.com.
