Photo by Kate Patrick
The Bryant Parks Department announced its selection as the Arkansas Tennis Association (ATA) Member Organization of the Year. The award is given out annually as chosen by the ATA Awards Committee in recognition and appreciation of outstanding efforts in promoting tennis in Arkansas and cooperation with the Arkansas Tennis Association.
Over the past two years, the Parks Department has made strides to offer youth tennis programming for school age children in the Bryant community, according to City of Bryant Recreation Superintendent Brandon Griffin. In partnership with the United States Tennis Association (USTA), the Bryant Parks programming includes Fall, Spring, and Summer USTA youth tennis leagues in addition to Adaptive Sports Tennis programming for children with physical disabilities. The Department received a mini-grant from the USTA in 2013 to purchase age appropriate youth equipment at Mills Park Tennis Complex.
“We are very excited and humbled to receive this award,” said Griffin. “We have worked very hard to build this program in order to provide recreational tennis opportunities to the youth of our community. Our Parks Programmer Stephanie Batchelder has quarterbacked this program since its grassroots beginnings into the volunteer driven organization it is today. Very proud of the leadership and vision provided by Stephanie and the program’s volunteer coaches.”
The Bryant Parks Department will be presented this award at the Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet during the Arkansas annual Tennis weekend on Jan. 9-10, 2015. The Awards Luncheon will be held Friday evening at the Hilton Garden Inn in North Little Rock.
For more information regarding the ATA Member Organization of the Year Award, contact Griffin at 501-943-0444.
