The USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest presented by Deloitte is now open. NJTL participants are asked to write essays answering a thought-provoking question requiring research and analysis.
"No matter what accomplishments you make, someone helped you." - Althea Gibson
In this quote, we are asked to think about the people that supported your achievements. In your own words, what does this quote mean?
Who from your NJTL chapter helped you, how did they help you, and what impact has this made on your tennis skill and/or life?
In 1950, Althea broke the color barrier to become the first Black person to play at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, NY, making her a nationwide household name. In 1956, Althea became the first Black player to win a grand slam with her victory at the French Open. Althea would go on to win 11 grand slam titles in 1956 and 1957, including Wimbledon. In 1957 and 1958, the Associated Press named her Female Athlete of the Year. After excelling in tennis, Althea began to play golf where she again became the first Black woman on the LPGA tour. In addition to her tennis career, Althea was an educator, musician, actress, and leader with her community service to bring tennis to young people. She taught at Lincoln University in Missouri, recorded an album of Jazz standards, and had roles in television and film, and served as the head of the City of East Orange New Jersey Parks and Recreation Department. #BeAltheaFierce #ustafoundation #njtl
The essay upload portal is open and submissions will be due at 12:00 PM EDT on June 30, 2023. NJTL Chapters are subject to the terms of the 2023 USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest, and will confirm the same upon essay submission into the NJTL Chapter Portal. Each NJTL chapter can set a local deadline for applications. NJTL Chapters will can use this flyer to help promote the contest to their students. NJTL youth who wish to participate must contact their local NJTL chapter for more information and to apply. Chapter leaders can login to the NJTL Chapter Portal to submit essays. If you have any questions, please email njtl@usta.com.
Deloitte, one of the world's largest professional services organizations, is the first-ever presenting sponsor of the USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest. Deloitte has joined forces with the USTA Foundation to help under-resourced youth to advance their education and fulfill their potential.
The National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network is a nationwide network of community tennis organizations seeking to develop the character of young people through tennis and education. NJTLs are unique because they offer a variety of on-court programming and also educational and life skill components designed to enhance a child's overall development.
Founded in 1969, this growing network of tennis providers share similar values, ideals and goals by reaching out to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to play tennis, instilling in youngsters the values of leadership and academic excellence, and by giving all kids the opportunity to fully develop their tennis skills so they can derive a lifetime of enjoyment from the sport.
NJTL Essay Materials and Resources
Terms & Conditions of the 2023 USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest
Promotional Flyer for the 2023 USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest
Promotional Flyer for the 2023 USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest (Spanish)
Essay Contest Form and Rules for the 2023 USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest
Essay Contest Form and Rules for the 2023 USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest (Spanish)
NJTL Chapter Portal for the 2023 USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest
2023 USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest Submission Instructions
Entries, which includes the signed Essay Contest Form and Essay, for the 2023 NJTL Essay Contest presented by Deloitte must be submitted by a currently registered NJTL chapter to the USTA Foundation. Entries from individuals will not be accepted. Submissions must be submitted on the USTA Foundation NJTL Chapter Portal prior to 12:00 pm Eastern Time on June 30, 2023.
Chapters will submit all entries at one time. No supplemental entries will be accepted. Incomplete Essay Contest Forms and Essay Sheets will automatically be voided and not considered. The signature on the Essay Contest Form must be that of the entrant's parent/guardian; NJTL chapters cannot sign on behalf of the parent/guardian. Please ensure all blanks are completed on the Essay Contest Forms.
NJTL Chapters may choose any local deadline for their essay authors to submit their entries as long as submissions for consideration are uploaded by the NJTL Chapter to the USTA Foundation NJTL Chapter Portal as described below on or before 12:00 pm Eastern Time on June 30, 2023. See the Terms and Conditions of the 2023 NJTL Essay Contest for all details.
How to Submit Essays via the USTA Foundation NJTL Chapter Portal:
Step One: Prepare the upload files.
Please create a single PDF for each male and female age category with this naming convention: GenderAge_Chapter_Name. For example, M10U_Aces_in_Motion.pdf or F17-18_EPATT.pdf.
The PDF file must be organized as follows:
- Page 1 - Entry Form (Participant #1)
- Page 2 - Essay (Participant #1)
- Page 3 - Entry Form (Participant #2)
- Page 4 - Essay (Participant #2)
- and so on