To better align its mission and goals with that of its longtime partner organization USTA Texas, leaders of the Texas Tennis and Education Foundation recently announced a name change to the USTA Texas Tennis Foundation.
“We felt the name change was necessary to better represent our relationship with the USTA, the governing body of tennis,” said foundation executive director Van Barry. "It also signifies an expansion of the scope of our organization."
After an undeniably challenging two years for everyone, the Foundation has decided to pivot to create its most exciting, relevant programming ever.
"Like most organizations, the USTA Texas Tennis Foundation has been changed by the circumstances of this last year," said Barry. "We are moving forward with even more new ideas and a deeper commitment to our community."
As the charitable arm of USTA Texas, the Foundation has, for decades, been devoted to assisting junior players in Texas in an effort to promote health and education through tennis. They've done this primarily through travel grands and scholarships.
Anticipating a change, the board of directors filed a reinstated certificate of formation in 2018 to allow the Foundation to expand its scope and impact. The organizational structure, capabilities and processes will now shift to support the implementation of a more expansive charter.
"We place community at the center of all that we do," said Barry. "We are listening to the people of Texas. In partnership with area organizations, we are developing programs that will touch more lives through tennis."
One of these changes will be the addition of adaptive and wheelchair tennis programming.