MTA -- ever hear of it?

Most of you probably have not, but I'm getting ready to tell you just what it is, what they do and how much they contribute to our community.

The MTA (Moore Tennis Association) is a United States Tennis Association (USTA) community association. It's a volunteer-based organization that promotes and develops the growth of tennis in Moore County. Its principal goal is to provide everyone from children through senior adults the opportunity to try, learn and play tennis at all levels.

Just being exposed to such a wonderful sport will create a lasting memory for some lucky kids. MTA programs and projects are done in partnership with local parks and recreation departments, schools, private tennis clubs, town officials, as well as the North Carolina Tennis Association and the USTA.

This year's agenda included three free children's tennis carnivals. There was one in the spring in partnership with the Southern Pines Parks and Recreation Department, one in early summer for the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills, and a Hispanic Kids' Carnival that will be held in the northern area of the county in November.

These events introduce tennis to children through fun games and drills and include prizes, food, and music. These children are experiencing something they might have never enjoyed. As part of the follow-up to these events, nine needy children were given scholarships to attend summer tennis camps.

In addition, the MTA assisted the NC State local league coordinators to organize, coordinate and run local team competitions to select teams to represent the Pines area in State championship tournaments. It also played a significant role in partnership with town and county officials, the Conventions and Visitors Bureau of the Sandhills, private clubs and resorts, schools, and parks and recreation departments to run the very successful North Carolina State League Championships held in Moore County in late August.

The same community coalition successfully competed with other communities to earn the right to run next year's adult league championships in the Sandhills.

Other initiatives on the MTA agenda for this year and into next year are designed to ensure that public tennis facilities in Moore County remain in good condition to support on-going and planned tennis programs and general public use, while expanding the tennis instructor base in the county to meet current and expanding tennis program needs.

The organization is made up of strictly volunteers. These people give generously of their time to teach children, promote the sport of tennis with these wonderful and fun carnivals. They feel every child is to be given the opportunity to at least try. Volunteers do all the work.

Donations, sponsorships, grants are what provides funding for the MTA. The organization can always use additional people. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the MTA may contact Ron Liveris at mtavp@mindspring.com

So now you know what the MTA is and what it does. It's a great organization, filled with dedicated people. It just goes to show you, Moore County is just full of good people like this.

Next time we'll catch up with all the clubs. October is tournament time, but in the meantime, grab that racket and hit those courts.

Till next time -- see ya on the courts.

Barb Horan's email is horan@earthlink.net