News Summary
The Florence Tennis Association has successfully obtained nearly $7,000 in grant funding to improve tennis accessibility at public parks in Florence County. The funds, provided by the U.S. Tennis Association, will be used to purchase equipment for beginner tennis programs. This initiative highlights the importance of local parks in promoting tennis, as many smaller parks lack proper facilities. The additional equipment aims to engage the community and foster interest in the sport. An educational event was also held to enhance community leaders’ ability to teach tennis to beginners.
Florence, SC – The Florence Tennis Association (FTA) has successfully secured nearly $7,000 in grant funding aimed at enhancing tennis accessibility at county public parks. This funding, awarded by the Southern Section of the U.S. Tennis Association, is designated for purchasing new equipment that will support beginner tennis programs and community engagement initiatives.
Approximately 80% of tennis in America takes place in public parks, underscoring the importance of local facilities in promoting the sport. However, there is a noticeable disparity in resources among parks in Florence County. Many smaller parks currently lack proper tennis courts and programming, emphasizing the need for new equipment to foster community interest in tennis.
The grant funding will be used to assemble complete start-up kits to be distributed across various county parks and city community centers. These kits will include essential tennis items such as pop-up nets, racquets, balls, and teaching aids. Equipment has already been made available at Levy Park, which currently hosts the Ron James Program—a program dedicated to offering after-school activities for children in the area.
Community Engagement through Education
In conjunction with the funding announcement, the Florence Tennis Association organized a recent event focused on instructing community leaders and Parks and Recreation specialists on teaching tennis to beginners. This event allowed attendees to learn about the available resources and grants through the USTA and how they can be effectively utilized in their respective communities.
Participants at the event included city officials from Lake City, Pamplico, and Timmonsville, alongside recreation professionals from Marion, Bennettsville, and Florence. Notably, the Bishopville community action group CAPSOL and representatives from Special Olympics also took part in this initiative. The event featured on-court sessions that aimed to educate attendees on beginner teaching methods and introduced them to Red Ball tennis, a modified version of the game tailored for newcomers.
Following the sessions, attendees received updates on current grant opportunities and support initiatives offered by the USTA. Feedback from participants indicated that the event was impactful, providing fresh ideas to strengthen tennis programming within public parks.
Support for Youth Development
Florence County Parks and Recreation Director Nathan Dawsey noted the value of the training and networking opportunities presented during the event. The Timmonsville City Manager expressed optimism regarding new initiatives designed to benefit the community’s youth, highlighting a collective interest in nurturing young talent in sports.
The Parks & Rec Day was facilitated by a 2025 Innovations Grant from the USTA Southern Section, part of the Southern Innovation Grant Program, which supports creative projects intended to stimulate tennis growth across the region. The successful implementation of the FTA’s Parks & Rec Day has garnered positive responses, affirming the importance of such initiatives.
Background and Achievements
Over the years, the Florence Tennis Association has made significant strides in securing funding to advance local tennis programs. To date, the organization has secured over $400,000 in grants, aimed at enhancing local tennis initiatives and generating sports tourism revenue for the county. Recognized for its efforts, the FTA received the USTA Community Tennis Association of the Year award in 2007 and was honored with the USTA Southern CTA of the Year in 2021.
The recent grant acquisition and the associated educational event mark a pivotal step forward for the Florence Tennis Association in its efforts to increase tennis participation at the community level, ensuring that residents of all ages have access to quality equipment and programming.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- WPDE: Florence Public Parks Get New Tennis Equipment
- Wikipedia: Tennis
- SC Now: Local Tennis News
- Google Search: Tennis Equipment Funding
- WPDE: New Ideas on Tennis Education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tennis
- Roar Lions: Women’s Tennis Rankings
- Google News: Florence Tennis Association
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
