March 5, 2021 Newsletter
As our 30th year of accessible summer programming approaches, we reflect on many cherished memories of teaching, encouraging and mentoring kids. We thank our Saint Paul Urban Tennis community for embodying what SPUT S.P.I.R.I.T. (service, perseverance, integrity, responsibility, imagination, teamwork) means. SPUT hopes to engage each of you this year in celebrating our mission and history.
SPUT’s 30th Anniversary Scholarship Campaign will launch soon to raise dollars to enable all kids and teens to participate in SPUT tennis, education, leadership and employment programs. Please be part of our team effort to support youth who need physical activity, connection with other kids, and additional learning and leadership opportunities more than ever. More details coming soon!
Start the SPUT Tennis Season This Spring
Join us for SPUT’s spring lesson programs! Kids of all ages and abilities are welcome. Our lessons will build up beginners through agility, balance, and coordination activities while focusing on proper technique for sustained success down the road. Intermediate and advanced players will refine their strokes and learn strategies for competition! Our COVID-19 programming safety protocols will be followed.
Register for a Summer Full of SPUT Fun!
Saint Paul Urban Tennis has been providing tennis and other youth development programming for 30 years! Celebrate with us by registering for our daytime lessons, half-day camps, and/or youth competition programming. We will be employing our strict COVID-19 safety protocols. Kids will learn tennis or improve their tennis game while developing leadership skills through our SPUT S.P.I.R.I.T. curriculum.
Junior Team Tennis
Junior Team Tennis (JTT) is an official USTA program to help junior varsity and varsity-level players improve their game. SPUT is offering In-House JTT (18U and 14U) and SPUTniks JTT (18U, 14U and 12U) this summer. In-House JTT is geared towards intermediate to advanced players, while SPUTniks JTT are high performance players that are required to try out. SPUTniks JTT tryouts are on April 25, 2021.
Adult Summer Registration is Open!
SPUT offers adult lessons for both beginning and advanced players. Improve your tennis skills with a certified teaching professional in a welcoming and encouraging environment. Have questions? Click here to register for our Adult Summer Program or reach out to our Adult Lesson Coordinator at dave@urbantennis.org
SPUT Programming Updates
Employment PLUS
Saint Paul Urban Tennis prioritizes giving youth the space to learn and have conversations during difficult and uncertain times. Last week our Employment PLUS students met with SPUT board member Rahhel Haile to discuss the events that occurred at our nation’s Capitol earlier this year. The students learned about civics, social climate, and the voting process.
Warrior Leadership Academy
Our Warrior Leadership Academy high school students continue to launch as leaders through SPUT’s Discover U mentoring program! Discover U combines guided activity sessions that youth complete on their own after valuable mentor conversations. The goal of Discover U is to support SPUT youth in creating a resilient life plan, developing a strong sense of vocational direction, and forming meaningful relationships with SPUT peers and community supporters. During the past month the students have learned the importance of clarity, self-awareness, action, choice, and belief.
Other News
Welcome New Board Member
Join us in giving a warm welcome to SPUT’s newest board member, Ilse Larsen!
“Saint Paul Urban Tennis doesn’t just serve to spread the joy of tennis to local youth – although it has done that well for 30 years. SPUT builds community while working to make real change for local youth by providing meaningful experiences and opportunities that extend far beyond the tennis court. These are the youth who I want to lead us into the future.” -Ilse Larsen