The Community Tennis Association of East Williston has joined the United States Tennis Association (USTA). After offering classes through an independent children's arts program for five years, it was the natural evolution for the growing sport of tennis to join the USTA as a non-profit Community Tennis Association (CTA). Being affiliated with the USTA as a CTA will improve the quality of the tennis experience, with full access to the support, funding, and services that the USTA can provide, along with the immediate benefit of friendly competition with other established CTAs.

The CTA of East Williston, Wheatley, and Carle Place was founded in the summer of 1999 to bring high quality tennis to the neighborhoods mentioned above. We will continue to offer the same high quality instruction as we have in the past with the same well-recognized teachers that have served the community for years and have been recognized by the USTA. This includes Chuck Romeo (USTA's 1999 and 2000 Special Service Award recipient), Mike Derenze (USTA regional excellence coach), Ron Rodrigues (Div. I college coach) and Anne Botten (middle school coach). It will continue to operate under the leadership of Bonnie Cohen (1999 USTA and USPTA Volunteer Award recipient).

Among the initiatives on our agenda has been the introduction of competitive tennis to our elementary and middle school pupils, filling a void in our community. The "Junior Team Tennis" competition is the centerpiece of our growing program. We have had 11 successful matches this winter and hope our community team of over 30 children will compete in the USTA Nassau County playoffs in April. We will continue with this program, offering USTA junior competitions and programs throughout the year.

In addition to working with the youth of our communities, the CTA continues to offer adults of all ages the opportunity to play the great sport of tennis. Both men and women are grouped according to skill level to maximize both their learning and enjoyment. Our well-rounded program features drills, practices, strategies, and mini-competitions in both singles and doubles games. The CTA has offered both indoor and outdoor programs to make tennis a year round experience for everyone.

The CTA will be running a seven-week program, with district approval, at the Wheatley High School tennis courts on Sundays this spring at a nominal cost. The opportunity to play tennis for all ages and skill with a well-renowned teaching staff is something everyone who has a love of tennis should take full advantage of.