Terry Fontana, founder and president of the Hicksville Community Tennis Association (HCTA), was recently awarded a grant to attend the annual United States Tennis Association's 2004 Community Tennis Development Workshop, which took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Sessions included an array of new and innovative ideas in the areas of tennis programming, strategic planning, volunteer development and expanding financial resources to help bring tennis to the community.

In March, Steve Abbondondelo, Chuck Romeo and Fontana attended the USTA Tennis Conference at the Nevele Grande in Ellenville. The conference enabled professionals in the tennis community with the opportunity to share and teach new techniques and methods to improve new and existing programs. Fontana was awarded the USTA/Eastern Section 2003 Volunteer of the Year Award.

The HCTA is committed to its continued community involvement. Again in 2004m, a $500 scholarship will be awarded to an eligible senior.

"Tennis After School" during the winter and spring sessions was again held in the gym at the St. Ignatius Loyola School. Tennis is taught in an untraditional setting, using the latest teaching methods and equipment. The plan is to expand the program into other local schools in the community. Schools or parents interested should contact Fontana at 822-8711 for information.

In addition, applications for the spring (April/May) and summer programs are currently being accepted at Aladdin Florist on Levittown Parkway. For more information, call Abbondondelo at 822-2211.