By Nicholas J. Walz, USTAFoundation.com
The USTA Foundation, the national charitable organization of the United States Tennis Association, is partnering with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make tennis more readily available to VA patients.
The three-year partnership will include organizing tennis clinics for VA medical facilities, linking VA medical facilities with community resources and providing consulting and design services for VA facilities interested in upgrading or building tennis courts. The USTA Foundation will support VA in the form of coaching, instruction, equipment, use of courts and other technical assistance needed to sustain a tennis clinic.
“The USTA Foundation is honored to partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs in helping to enhance and improve the rehabilitation needs of our country’s Veterans through tennis,” said Daniel Faber, Executive Director, USTA Foundation. “We are committed to providing the tools needed for VA facilities around the country to incorporate tennis into their existing rehabilitation programs. Together, we are striving to provide an opportunity for our Veterans to stay active and fit in tribute to their sacrifice and bravery.”
In addition, the USTA Foundation recently developed the
Warrior Tennis Curriculum, an electronic manual that provides rehabilitation therapists, tennis professionals and volunteers guidance through text, pictures and videos on how to use tennis as a therapeutic option to help Veterans stay fit and active. For more information on facilitating or starting a program, getting connected to a VA facility in your community, or to obtain a copy of the Warrior Tennis Curriculum, contact
military@usta.com.
“Exercise and physical activity is an important component of health and wellness and has been shown to provide numerous physical and mental health benefits,” said Interim Undersecretary for Health Carolyn M. Clancy. “We are very excited to be partnering with the USTA Foundation to improve veterans’ physical fitness and ultimately their overall health and well-being.”
With more than eight million Veterans enrolled, VA operates the largest integrated health care delivery system in the United States.