New grant program seeks to help tennis juniors play more events

Bluffton’s Public Tennis Inc. is taking applications for a new grant program designed to help competitive local junior players with travel, training and equipment expenses that will allow them to compete in more tournaments.

“Playing in tournaments is an essential part of getting recognized by coaches for college recruitment,” the association said in an announcement. “It is PTI’s desire to aid those players who might not be able to afford these often-staggering costs.”

The program is open to all junior players living in Bluffton or Hilton Head Island between the ages of 12 and 18. Annual family income must not exceed $125,000. Full details and an application form can be found at BlufftonTennis.org.

Applications must be filed by Monday to be considered for the initial round of grants. Additional grants will be available for applications submitted by a second deadline of Dec. 31.

The program took shape earlier this year when Adult Team Tennis League players observed juniors practicing nightly at the Chaplin Park courts and wondered how the local community could help them pursue their goals. League coordinator Judy Mattoon approached PTI with a grant program proposal, leading the entities to establish a joint venture.

This story was originally published July 29, 2016 at 6:01 PM with the headline "New grant program seeks to help tennis juniors play more events."