Tennis under the Big Sky
USTA-MT has open positions on the Board of Directors for the
2020 – 2021 term.
The Nominating Committee will meet next month to
review all nominations and develop a proposed slate of board members
and officers. The board of directors will then vote on the slate.
Please complete the following form and email your nomination to
lolson.mta@gmail.com by September 30, 2019.
June 19, 2019
MISSOULA, MT– USTA Montana (Montana Tennis Association) is pleased to announce its 2019 Awards recipients for their dedication and commitment to growing the sport of tennis in their local communities. For the first time ever, winners will be honored at the First Annual Awards and League Player Party on Saturday, June 22 in Missoula, MT.
“We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the work they do. To be selected from a pool of such worthy nominees is an honor, and we look forward to recognizing all they’ve done to grow and develop tennis. They truly exemplify what makes Montana tennis so unique and successful,” said USTA Montana Executive Director, Lauren Olson.
The dinner will take place during the League Tournament Player Party on Saturday, June 22 at 5pm at the Peak Racquet Club in Missoula.
The 2019 Award winners are listed below:
Organization of the Year: Billings Tennis Association, Billings, MT
Volunteer of the Year: Steve Schwartz, Missoula, MT
M.C. Beeby Lifetime Achievement: Eileen Pinkerton, Billings, MT
Developmental Coach: Jan Steenekamp, Missoula, MT
Senior Player: Len Wheeler, Helena, MT
School Coach: Jim Gregg, Cut Bank, MT
League Captain: Gordon Terpe, Missoula, MT
League Captain: Debbie Oliver, Billings, MT
When: Tuesday – Wednesday, June 25-26, 2019
10 & Under from 9-10am
14 & Under from 10:30am-12pm
15 & Over from 1-3pm
Where: Cut Bank High School tennis courts
Racquets provided
Montana Tennis Association will lead a variety of drills and games for new and returning junior players. There is no cost to participate, but advance registration is appreciated.
USTA-MT is happy to partner with certified teaching pros in Billings to offer 3 days of junior clinics in Hardin, MT.
When: Monday – Wednesday, June 24-26, 2019 from 1-5pm
14 & Under from 1-3pm
15 & Over from 3-5pm
Where: Hardin High School tennis courts
Racquets provided
Montana Tennis Association along with USPTA certified teaching professionals will lead a variety of drills and games for new and returning junior players. There is no cost to participate, but advance registration is appreciated.
The Eastern Montana Junior Open Level V Tournament is right around the corner. Play begins Saturday, May 25 at 8am. Events include:
Player Party!!! 3pm – 5pm
Sunday, May 27th
Pioneer Park Tournament Headquarters
Looking to play tennis this summer? Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be compiling a guide of camps, clinics, and tournaments all across the state. First up is Missoula tennis. Look no further for fun, social tennis events for kids, parents, and fun for the whole family.
Missoula Parks & Rec offers multi-racquet camps so kids can learn not only tennis, but pickleball, badminton, and ping-pong. The first Paddle & Racquet Camp is July 1-3 from 8-12:30pm at Fort Missoula Regional Park.
Looking for just tennis, let the pros at the Peak Racquet Club introduce your kids to this lifelong sport. Camps start June 17 from 10-11:30am.
The Hall of Fame Sports Academy combines tennis with more than a dozen other sports and allows families to come and go throughout the summer. The first camp is June 17-21 at Playfair Park.
For friendly, low-pressure tennis come out to Missoula Social Tennis on Thursday nights at Playfair Park at 5:45pm. The first hour consists of a clinic taught by USPTA certified pros, followed by organized matches. The format is social, fun and includes men and women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Includes drink deals at The Dram Shop!
The Peak Racquet Club also hosts men’s and women’s doubles nights during the summer followed by a BBQ. You don’t have to be a member of the club to participate.
Garden City Tennis Association’s No-Elim Tournaments are another good option if you’re looking for matches without the pressure. Guaranteed 4 matches and plenty of delicious food.
Are we forgetting something? Send a message to lolson.mta@gmail.com and we’d happily share your summer tennis program.
Just got this awards video from USTA-Intermountain and wanted to share. The Peak Racquet Club won USTA-Intermountain’s Organization of the Year Award for 2018!
Grades: K-3
Thursdays, May 2, May 9, May 16, and May 23 from 2-3pm
Contact: Lauren Olson, lolson.mta@gmail.com or 406.579.2716
The Tennis is Elementary program provides young players the chance to learn basic fundamentals, teamwork, and sportsmanship from qualified tennis instructors. Using smaller racquets, nets, and court sizes, QuickStart tennis gives kids the opportunity to learn and start to play right away. This popular nationwide program teaches life skills, tennis and teamwork in a fun environment that allows your students to stay active while learning the fastest growing lifetime sport in the country.
Participants in the afterschool camp get (4) focused 1-hour lessons that meet once a week after school in the gym or multipurpose room. The cost is $28/participant, plus an online registration fee. There are a number of scholarships available per camp.
All equipment needed to run the camp is provided, and the coach to player ratio is usually about 8:1. The number of participants depends on the size of the gym. On average, our camps number 16 players.
Each session focuses on a specific shot taught in the QuickStart method. The sessions are broken down into an intro activity, fitness component, lesson focus, and games. The camp uses stations to ensure that kids are moving the whole time and are not standing in line.
All Instructors and Site Directors have attended a QuickStart Tennis training session and have submitted to a background check prior to starting work.
June 19, 2019
MISSOULA, MT– USTA Montana (Montana Tennis Association) is pleased to announce its 2019 Awards recipients for their dedication and commitment to growing the sport of tennis in their local communities. For the first time ever, winners will be honored at the First Annual Awards and League Player Party on Saturday, June 22 in Missoula, MT.
“We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the work they do. To be selected from a pool of such worthy nominees is an honor, and we look forward to recognizing all they’ve done to grow and develop tennis. They truly exemplify what makes Montana tennis so unique and successful,” said USTA Montana Executive Director, Lauren Olson.
The dinner will take place during the League Tournament Player Party on Saturday, June 22 at 5pm at the Peak Racquet Club in Missoula.
The 2019 Award winners are listed below:
Organization of the Year: Billings Tennis Association, Billings
Volunteer of the Year: Steve Schwartz, Missoula
M.C. Beeby Lifetime Achievement: Eileen Pinkerton, Billings
Developmental Coach: Jan Steenekamp, Missoula
Senior Player: Len Wheeler, Helena
School Coach: Jim Gregg, Cut Bank
League Captain: Gordon Terpe, Missoula
League Captain: Debbie Oliver, Billings
Award Categories:
Service Awards:
M.C. Beeby Lifetime Achievement Award: This award is given from time to time for extraordinary lifetime service to tennis within the Montana District.
Volunteer of the Year Award: This award is given annually to an individual 18 & over who has contributed to the growth of tennis by demonstrating a passion for giving back to their tennis community through starting a new program and/or helping existing programs thrive.
Organization of the Year Award: This award is given annually to a USTA Organizational Member, including but not limited to CTAs, Parks & Rec Districts, schools, clubs, etc., that stands out in the community as a leader by supporting tennis programs.
Family of the Year Award: Recognizes a family’s significant contribution or accomplishments in tennis. Ideally, all members of the family represent the development & promotion of tennis on & off the court.
Sportsmanship Awards
Junior Girl and Junior Boy of the Year Award: This award is given annually to an individual 18 & under who exemplifies the spirit of tennis through their activities on and off the court. A spotless record of sportsmanship & accomplishments in the classroom are critical as well.
USTA League Captain Award: The recipient exemplifies outstanding leadership through his/her contributions as the captain of a league team & should have good communication skills, be knowledgeable of league rules, be respectful of others & promote fair play.
School Coach Award: Presented to a HS or MS coach who demonstrates achievement, enthusiasm, team camaraderie, a “Grow The Game” mindset & a community service orientation. Participation in the No Cut Coach program is a plus.
On-Court Achievements Awards
Developmental Coach of the Year Award: This award is given to recognize the outstanding efforts of a developmental coach in the USTA Montana District. This coach is being honored for his or her endless dedication to developing junior tennis players at all levels through teaching, presence at tournaments and events, and positive role modeling, on and off the court.
Teaching Professional Award: Honors an active instructor who demonstrates a significant contribution to tennis through promotion of USTA programs, community service & support of the USTA mission.
Adult Player of the Year: Recognition of an Adult player who participates in USTA Leagues or tournaments on a regular basis. Recipient demonstrates good sportsmanship, a love of the game, avid promotion of tennis & serves as a good example for all.
Senior Player of the Year: Recognition of a senior player who participates in USTA Leagues or tournaments on a regular basis. Recipient demonstrates good sportsmanship, a love of the game, avid promotion of tennis & serves as a good example for all.