Welcome to Brown Intermediate!
"Where we strive for greatness and nothing less."

 

Special to The Advocate & Democrat

Tellico Lake Tennis Association began the New Year with a terrific turn out for the annual Winter Social held at Center Court in mid-January. More than 40 players enjoyed playing indoors, socializing and snacking—a great way to start an exciting new season of tennis!

Officers for 2009 are President Fred Bonney, Vice President Mike Horn, Secretary Debbie Swindlehurst, and Treasurer Carol Williams.
Board members are Jim Jorgensen, Jack Hall, Kandie Shubeck, Bob Ambler, Debra Sciarretta, and Fred Bonney. Volunteers are needed to help with the various activities the Tellico Lake Tennis Association sponsors.

 If you would like to become more involved with the tennis program, call any of the officers or board members.
Membership dues are now due for the 2009 season.  Dues are $10 for an individual membership and $15 for families.  Dues may be paid at the Chota Recreation Center desk with checks made out to TLTA.

The planning season is about over and it’s almost time to put the planning into action.  About the only thing you can say for the planned events is wow!  
The Tellico Lake Tennis Association will be involved with nine junior programs this year- Steekee Elementary in Loudon, Cross Creek Christian School, Brown Intermediate School and Sweetwater Independents all in Sweetwater, Tellico Plains Elementary and middle schools through the Boys & Girls Club, Rural Vale, McMinn County, Cleveland Junior Players, and Loudon High Junior Players.  
Once league schedules are established, Cumberland County Junior players will be included in matches.

All of these players will have the opportunity to play in Crossville, Cleveland, Athens, Loudon and Sweetwater.
These programs will officially start with a Coaches/Parents Workshop on March 14 from 1-4 p.m. at Brown School in Sweetwater.  
A “How to Conduct Team Practices,” workshop will be taught by teaching tennis professionals.  This will be followed with a scheduling meeting for the various age groups to set up playing schedules.  
Matches will be played on weekends, although not every player has to make every match.  
Scheduling will be flexible to meet the needs of the players and coaches. 

It is envisioned that the programs will extend beyond the school year and continue as summer leagues with the possibility of teams being formed to compete for a state championship.  
Parents can get more information about signing up for these programs by calling Fred Bonney at 865-458-2589 or 865-773-5061 or e-mailing www.fred-elaine@mindspring.com.
The adult tennis programs look just as busy.  On March 3 at 6 p.m. there will be an Adult and Senior Captains meeting held at the Tellico Village Chota Recreation Center at 145 Awohili Dr. in Tellico Village.

The purpose of this meeting is to inform those who want to be Team Captains for USTA League Teams about the 2009 Rules and Requirements.  
Players wanting more information or wanting to signup for teams can and should attend this meeting.
A review of 2008 and a look ahead at 2009 on a statewide basis was done the weekend of Jan. 30-Feb. 1 in Nashville at the USTA Tennessee Annual Meeting. 

The TLTA and our area received significant recognition in having honorable mention Volunteers of the Year recipients Michelle Bilderback and Carol Williams recognized.
 The Advocate and Democrat received the USTA-TN Media Excellence Award for its outstanding support and coverage of tennis events.  
They join such notable previous award winners as the Nashville Tennessean, Knoxville News Journal, and many radio and TV stations across the state.  Corbitt Hollingsworth, Advocate and Democrat Sports Editor, accepted the award.   

The TLTA Officers and Board members attending the annual meeting were: Mike Horn, Carol Williams, Debra Sciarretta, Elaine and Fred Bonney.
The Tellico Lake Tennis Association had more representatives at this conference than any of the other 27 CTA’s in the state.

Presenters during the event were from USTA National Headquarters in White Plains, NY, the Southern Section offices in Atlanta, and the Tennessee USTA offices.
Spring can’t be far behind, so dust off those tennis rackets and get ready to hit the courts to participate in the fastest-growing sport in the United States. 

Tennis provides not only physical benefits, but is terrific for social and mental health as well.
Membership in the Tellico Lake Tennis Association is open to all area tennis enthusiasts.  
The mission of the association is to promote and grow the sport of tennis in East Tennessee.

For more information call Carol Williams at 408-0907 or check out our Web site at www.TLTA.USTA.com.